Goal and Objectives

Overall Project Outcome 1:

Capacity and institutional framework for sustainable peatland management in South East Asia strengthened

Component Sub-outcome 1: Capacity in relevant agencies/ institutions and other concerned stakeholders on peatland management strengthened in the Philippines
 

Overall Project Outcome 2:

Reduced rate of degradation of peatlands in South East Asia

Component Sub-outcome 2: Creating an enabling environment for the conservation and sustainable use of peatlands in the Philippines
 

Overall Project Outcome 3:

Integrated management and rehabilitation initiated at targeted peatlands

Component Sub-outcome 3: Land use planning, zoning and rehabilitation measures carried out in suitable peatland sites
 

Overall Project Outcome 4:

Local communities and the private sector actively contributing to sustainable peatland management

Component Sub-outcome 4: Community-led demonstration projects formulated and implemented at the pilot sites

Outcomes and Outputs

Component Sub-outcome 1: Capacity in relevant agencies/ institutions and other concerned stakeholders on peatland management strengthened in the Philippines

Output 1.1 A core group of peatland managers/ experts established at national, local and community levels

At present, there are no experts on the ecology and sustainable use of peatlands in the Philippines. This output will result in expertise being available at the national and local levels, benefiting from expertise and experience from other ASEAN countries.

Activities

1.1.1 Conduct a training needs analysis and develop suitable training modules, including alternative learning systems for community based activities.

1.1.2 Source expertise to train and develop a core group of peatland managers/ experts at the national and local level and implement training courses.

1.1.3 Support the transfer of technology for peatland management, including practical training, from other ASEAN countries; e.g. cross visits, exchange programs.

1.1.4 Conduct on-the-job training/ workshops/ seminars for communities around the pilot sites on participatory assessments to improve local knowledge of sustainable use of peatlands

Output 1.2 Peatland management enhanced by better coordination between concerned agencies and other stakeholders and policies developed

There is a need to apply existing relevant laws, to develop legislation and policies, and to develop an institutional structure for the management of peatlands. The potential for wisely managing peatlands is almost non-existent at present.

Activities

1.2.1 Set up inter-agency national and local working groups to review existing laws and policies and recommend policies and an institutional structure for the management of peatlands.

1.2.2 Conduct legislative forum on ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution to facilitate Philippine's ratification

1.2.3 Develop, adopt and implement the NAP for peatlands

1.2.4 Develop and support networks of concerned stakeholders for information exchange and sharing of experiences.

Output 1.3 Awareness of peatlands raised at national and local levels through an information and education campaign

Awareness of peatlands, their properties and the issues surrounding them, is virtually non-existent. Through training workshops and locally-appropriate materials, awareness will be raised among a broad range of stakeholders.

Activities

1.3.1 Enhance existing communication plan for peatlands

1.3.2 Conduct lectures and presentations for government agencies, Local Government Units and members of civil society.

1.3.3 Develop locally-appropriate materials (comics and posters) in local languages and make these available to communities in and around pilot sites.

1.3.4 Hold community assemblies and dialogues to increase the level of awareness of peatlands in the communities

1.3.5 Develop web page on peatlands/peat portal

Output 1.4 Sustainable funding mechanism for peatland management identified and secured

Apart from this project, there is virtually no funding for peatland projects in the Philippines. It is important to start to identify funding sources to be able to carry on activities beyond the project period, since many activities can be viewed as long-term.

Activities

1.4.1 Identify donor agencies, requirements and explore options for funding, including the corporate social/environmental portfolio

1.4.2 Source funds from donor agencies to carry on project activities beyond the project period.

1.4.3 Explore carbon funding under the Climate Change Portfolio

Component sub-outcome 2: Creating an enabling environment for the conservation and sustainable use of peatlands in the Philippines

Output 2.1 Peatlands suitable for sustainable use and conservation activities identified

There is virtually no information available on peatland areas in the Philippines besides the two pilot sites. Targeted surveys over the Philippines to identity peatland areas have not been carried out. With these activities, the local communities will be involved in surveys and land use assessments and the identification of priority areas for conservation and sustainable use.

Activities

2.1.1 Carry out immediate surveys of probable peatlands in the Philippines

2.1.2 Map peatland areas; perform participatory land use assessments and socio-economic surveys in relation to community uses of peatlands in these areas.

2.1.3 Identify peatland areas suitable for conservation activities and identify priority activities for these areas.


Output 2.2 A local guide for planners and developers in peatlands and peatland buffer zones prepared

There is an almost total lack of knowledge of peatlands and their fragility among developers and planners, such that a locally-appropriate guide to development is urgently needed.

Activities

2.2.1 Conduct meetings with the relevant stakeholders on issues of development in peatland areas.

2.2.2 Prepare guidelines for planners and developers of peatlands to suit the local scenario.

Component sub-outcome 3: Land use planning, zoning and rehabilitation measures carried out in suitable peatland sites

Output 3.1 Land use-planning activities including iterative consultations and zoning of land use at the project pilot sites developed and implemented

Prior to the implementation of project activities of rehabilitation, demonstration projects and conservation, it is important to specifically identify the sites for each of the proposed activities in conjunction with local communities.

Activities

3.1.1 Conduct consultations with stakeholders in pilot sites regarding zoning of activities.

3.1.2 Develop zoning and land use plans for the pilot sites.

Output 3.2 Hydrological regime restored and replanting carried out at the pilot sites by the community

The local community will be involved in drawing up specific rehabilitation plans in restoration works such as blocking drains and replanting of degraded areas, instilling a sense of ownership of the projects. This should lead to long-term success of the rehabilitation measures.

Activities

3.2.1 Conduct consultation meetings with the local community on rehabilitation measures.

3.2.2 Develop and implement a site-level restoration plan for the hydrology and biodiversity of the pilot sites by the local community.

Component sub-outcome 4: Community-led demonstration projects formulated and implemented at the pilot sites

Output 4.1 Demonstration projects in sustainable use of peatlands at the pilot sites managed by local people developed and implemented

Through consultations with local communities, specific demonstration projects will be developed and implemented. Again, community involvement in all aspects of project preparation, planning and implementation is seen as key to the long-term success of the projects.

Activities

4.1.1 Organise and conduct workshops for possible demonstration projects on sustainable use of peatlands at pilot sites managed by local people.

4.1.2 Prepare a proposal on the options for demonstration projects at the two pilot sites and evaluate these options.

4.1.3 Develop the demonstration projects at the sites e.g. ecotourism and livelihood programs.

4.1.4 Organise the community (and inputs) for the demonstration projects.

Duration, Budget, Cost, & Financing

The proposed budget for the Philippine component is spelled out in the table below at output and sub-outcome levels. The indicative total budget allocation requested from GEF will be USD262,000 with a co-funding totalling to USD370,000 (see Table below). The outputs with their respective activities are to be implemented within the period of 2 years from 2010.