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Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park

Management Plan: June 2001(Con't)

3.6       Stakeholders

The attainment of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in MKNP requires the active partnership and collaboration among the different stakeholders. The influence and contributions to the various development initiatives within the park and its buffer directly or indirectly affect the integrity of the PA. Failure to acknowledge these factors in time will lead to ecological imbalance through intensive resource exploitation. The clear identification of the stakeholders and their interests in the park is essential. Annex A provides a summary description of the stakeholders of the PA.

1.         The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)

The PAMB is the site-based policy making body of the PA formed under the NIPAS Law. It is composed of representatives from LGUs, POs, NGOs, IPs, Barangays, and other government agencies with the DENR REDs from region VI and VII and the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinators as ex-officio members. It is mandated by NIPAS to decide on general administration of the park consistent with the approved management plan. While it is the collective responsibility of the Board to safeguard the park from incompatible development, each member also carries with them the interest of the institution they are representing. Biases and interests usually manifest if the concerns affect their constituents and or involve their respective areas of jurisdictions. NGO members of PAMB are holding key positions in their respective organizations either as Executive Directors or members of the Board. The representatives from LGU are often Planning Coordinators while community representatives are the Barangay Captains and key leaders of the POs in the covered areas.

2.         DENR 

The DENR is the primary government agency that administers the NIPAS. The DENR RED for region VI acts as the Chairperson of the Board. There are two DENR regional offices that cover MKNP- region VI and VII, with their corresponding PENR offices (Negros Occidental and Oriental). There are also three regular CENR Offices and three other sub- CENROs in the municipalities/cities covering the Park. The agency is also responsible in overseeing that policies, programs and projects adopted and implemented by the PAMB are within the context of the existing rules and regulations and environmental standards. DENR region VI established the office of the PASu to serve as Secretariat to the operations of the PAMB with the PASu as the DENR Chief Operating Officer of the PA.

3.         LGU

There is now a growing recognition among the LGUs in Negros on the importance of MKNP as a protected area. The conservation of the PA has already been included in the development framework of the LGUs, covering the park. While they convey the sentiments of protecting the area for environmental considerations, economic and social dimensions are also among their prime interest particularly with the presence of several barangays in the PA. Delivery of basic social and economic services to the settlements in the PA is a priority of the LGUs.

The stake of LGU varies depending on the conditions of the area. Ecotourism development is the focus of La Carlota and Bago cities, which is supported by the provincial government. In Canlaon and San Cárlos LGUs are concerned with agricultural enhancement and productivity because of the vast areas in the park already devoted to it. La Castellana government also showed interest in tourism development and agricultural production.  In Murcia and Bago,the LGUs are also endorsing the geothermal development project in their areas.

Political interests are also a reality with the number of voting population inside the park. The local officials particularly the mayors wield influence among the people with the power to implement various programs and projects with vast resources at their disposal. The LGUs are in the best position to support the PAMB in harmonizing conservation and development efforts in the PA. The LGUs can also enact policies supportive of the efforts to conserve the biodiversity in MKNP.

4.         Other Government Agencies 

The interests of other government agencies primarily focus on the accomplishment of their respective programs and projects mostly related to the delivery of social services and economic development. Some of these projects maybe compatible with park development but there are some that may also pose a threat to the integrity of the PA. Potential uses of the different resources of the park had attracted the interests of various agencies. Among these are energy exploration and development, irrigation and water rights, infrastructure projects such as roads, markets, day care and health centers, school buildings and rural electrification.

Agricultural enhancement and productivity is the primary focus of the agriculture sector because of the vast areas within the park devoted to it. In Canlaon City, the extensive vegetable production in the park accounts as one of the major revenues of the LGU. Moreover, concerned agencies for the IPs are also working for the ancestral domain claims of the Bukidnons.

5.         Local Communities 

The prime interests of the different communities within the PA are focused on livelihood and land tenure security. Majority of these households is dependent on the area for survival. Aside from the land they are occupying, some park residents are also engaged in resource extractive activities particularly gathering of minor forest products as source of income.

The IPs, meanwhile, are seeking recognition of their ancestral domain claim including respect of their traditional beliefs, practices, culture and traditions. There are also absentee and transient claimants in MKNP who are seeking consideration for their continued occupancy and cultivation of farms inside the area. POs also exist in the park that had gained recognition in the implementation of conservation programs.

6.         NGOs

NGOs complement the delivery of basic services to hardly reached communities by government agencies. These include the transfer of technology to marginal sectors and assistance to struggling POs in the rural areas. Such NGOs are influential entities in forwarding advocacy and awareness campaigns.

A number of NGOs have been existing and operating inside the PA. The PBSP is engaged in restoration activities, PRRM is working for rural development, FFF is promoting farm production and tenurial security of farmers, PsPN initiated land use planning with LGUs, while Green Alert Environment Network conducted awareness raising campaigns along with other NGOs. Civic clubs are also making use of the area for their tree planting activities.

The park and its occupants are ideal base in advancing their causes for funding and political gains and the influence of their organizations and membership expansion. Highly established and recognized NGOs provide a wide range of influence among its members and the community. One of the recognized NGO stakeholders in MKNP is MUAD-Negros because it serves as the host NGO for CPPAP.

7.         Private/Business Sector

The private and business sectors are highly dependent on the populace in the marketing and promotion of their products for personal and commercial gains. These include drawing in of profits and establishing social acceptance and strengthening of their market bases. Billboards bearing commercials of soft and hard drinks and other products proliferate in various areas of the park. Cock breeding has become a lucrative enterprise due to the ideal cool temperature and vegetation of the park even during summer. MKNP’s water outlet/gateway serves as source of La Tondena’s mineral water line that is now marketed in commercial volumes. Its rich and fertile soils have made Canlaon City the vegetable basket of Negros while its ridges and peaks serves as ideal communication repeater sites.

Local government officials, ex- local officials and private entities with business interests inside the park provide capital and funding and mobilize local folks in small scale yet profitable ventures such as farming and cock breeding. Some entrepreneurs had gone to the point of leasing zones with local residents for personal gains and future economic base. The tourism potential of the area has attracted several agencies for possible ventures in recreational zones of the PA.

8.         Church and Religious Sector 

Churches and other religious sectors are ready support groups for generating mass action for advocacy and campaign for the marginal sectors. With the presence now of communities, various religious groups are operating inside the park including the construction of churches. Religious practices such as spiritual and medical rejuvenation and renewal specially during the Holy Week are done by several sects who believe that the PA offers divine powers and is sanctuary of spirits.

9.         Visitors/Tourists 

Both local and foreign visitors and tourists generally visit the park to enjoy the sights and to experience and learn from ecology and culture. MKNP is a favorite tourist destination and had been host to thousands of mountain enthusiasts and hundreds of pilgrims. The Lenten Season is considered as the peak season for trekking activities. Before the CPPAP, it is estimated that about 3,000 trekkers join these periodic activities alone. With the full implementation of the PAMB ordinance seeking regulation and generation of revenues for the PA in 1997, only 200 trekked to the summit out of the 1,900 who visited the park. Many of the visitors contented themselves visiting the entrance stations. Feedback and sharing of comments and suggestions from park visitors to the management are essential in developing schemes in nature tourism, environmental education and promoting the park in both national and global markets.

10.       Academe 

Academic institutions recognize the potentials of the PA for research, education and curriculum development. It is a natural museum serving as vast laboratory and reference for social, natural and other applied sciences and researches. It serves as venue for field exposures, research and studies of local, national and even international schools. It is also a training ground for scouting, religious mission, curriculum training and other technical skill courses. Scientific research for biological conservation and medical pursuits are viewed apart from the interest of the academe. Bio- prospecting /piracy rights maybe a major concern.

11.       Rebel Forces/Insurgents 

The current insurgency problem in Negros Island is comparatively better than previous years. However, MKNP still provides an excellent refuge to the rebel movements. The settlements inside the park also serve as base for recruitment, mass base building and political support for the advancement of their political and economic cause.

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