ILOILO City – The community-based Forestland Management Project (FMP) has brought benefits particularly in Iloilo Province, which is among the implementing areas of the project out of the three major river basins nationwide.
FMP, an 11-year cooperation between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has conducted reforestation activities to increase forest cover, provided People’s Organization (PO) capacity development to strengthen management capacity, established local enterprises development to increase household income, and constructed farm-to-market roads, pathways, concrete and hanging bridges, and irrigation pipeline system to aid in forest conservation efforts of upland communities.
The said project was implemented in three major river basins of Upper Magat and Cagayan, Pampanga, and Jalaur.
JICA and DENR’s joint monitoring team recently visited the municipalities of Janiuay, Lambunao and Calinog in Iloilo covered by Jalaur River Basin.
Findings include 13,027 hectares of new tree and agroforestry plantations, 16.44 percent increase in vegetative cover from 2015 to 2021 Geo-Spatial Data Analysis, and 600 kilograms of coffee beans harvest per year.
Moreover, the beneficiaries said that the FMP has strengthened community bonds. The construction of agroforestry support facilities improved better access to basic social services such as education, healthcare and spurred economic activity for upland farmers.
Critical to the success of the project was the collaboration with the community according to DENR.
The agency expressed its intention to continuously support communities and LGUs and even mainstream the FMP in their regular activities in the future. (PIA)
