Mindanao’s biodiversity is one of the country’s richest. but it is also highly at risk.
Results from the participatory resource appraisal and rapid social assessment (PRA-RSA) of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) revealed that the island region’s forests are diminishing.
The PRA-RSA further showed that Mindanao’s marine ecosystems are continuously being challenged as well as the species that thrive in these environments are continuously being threatened.
To reverse this trend, the MRDP is currently implementing the Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant that will provide alternative livelihood in identified conservation sites. GEF is an organization that plays a key role in addressing global environmental priorities such as biodiversity, climate change and ozone depletion.
GEF projects are being implemented in Olutanga, Mabuhay, and Talusan in Zamboanga Sibugay; Rizal and Sibutad in Zamboanga del Norte, and V. Sagun in Zamboanga del Sur.
Also included are Marihatag and San Agustin, Surigao del Norte in the Caraga region, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao; and Lamitan, Basilan in the ARMM.
These sites have been found to house globally significant species such as dugongs, marine turtles, manta rays, giant clams, whale sharks, diverse mangroves and other flora and fauna.
MRDP program director Lealyn Ramos underscored the need for a critical mass that will communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation and the consequence of its loss.
To address this concern, a core of advocates was formed during the recent training-workshop on communication and advocacy strategies held in Davao City.
“Biodiversity conservation in coastal and farming areas will only be relevant if it is linked with its impact on farmers’ productivity and food security. We expect the core of advocates to help in raising the level of understanding of our stakeholders and beneficiaries on the value of engaging them in sustainable agri-fishery practices,” Ramos said.
MRDP deputy program director Arnel de Mesa said MRDP-GEF core of advocates is the third batch being formed by the program.
“What is doubly challenging for this batch is that aside from promoting the sustainable projects to be implemented, they will also focus on conservation of globally significant species in their localities,” he said.
Meanwhile, participants, particularly from V. Sagun, said the training in advocacy and communication skills is very relevant, especially that their town is set to implement an information drive on biodiversity conservation.
“We are identified as part of the coral triangle, the most important ecosystem on earth. This means that our local conservation initiatives will definitely have global significance,” they said. (Noel T. Provido/DA-MRDP)
