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Results and impact
The following eight results can be identified in Palawan:
Result 1: Key actors’ demand for project intervention identified and
confirmed
This key result was fully accomplished, though not easily. While key actors at
the provincial level were quickly amenable to project intervention, local
communities initially demonstrated skepticism to the proposed project. In the
Philippines, and particularly in Palawan, the local communities were wary of
projects that merely treated them as experimental units. Once the people
recognized that LPF facilitates and members solve their problems (as opposed to
LPF solving their problems), the community participated. The participation of
the community in the two institutionalized structures - the community Technical
Working Groups (TWG) and the Provincial Steering Committee (PrSC) - indicated
that key actors welcomed the project. Problems and issues were easily addressed
because the concerned agencies were represented in the committee. The committee
also ensured that the long-term vision of the community fitted well with the
long-term vision of the larger unit where the community belonged.
Result 2: Key actors negotiated and agreed on a common long-term objective
for forests and associated land management
Through project facilitation, the community themselves formulated a long-term
common vision. The same vision was shared by other key actors at the provincial
level and it was consistent across provincial, local and community levels. The
common vision and commitment of the city and provincial development actors was
demonstrated by the cooperation and assistance that they provided to the
projects of the community working groups in the villages.
Result 3: Place of negotiation was set up where key actors met regularly to
discuss issues
PrSC and community TWGs were places of negotiation, where actors met regularly
to discuss issues and problems and their solutions. The value of the PrSC was
demonstrated in the instances when representatives of the local community
working groups elaborated issues and problems in regular PrSC meetings.
The formation of working groups virtually put community members in the
mainstream of local problem solving. Since the working groups were new
organizations outside the local village organizational structure, local leaders
treated them with doubts,. Leaders saw the TWGs as potentially usurping the
responsibilities and tasks regularly performed by duly elected and constituted
bodies. Thus there was the need to clarify that the working groups would not
last forever and that, if they were able to identify a project for the
community, they would later be integrated into the village organizational
structure to continue implementation of the identified community project. This
clarification contributed to avoiding potential conflicts of power between local
village leaders and working groups.
Result 4: Role of natural resources in relation to people’s livelihoods was
understood and acted upon by researchers, company and/or local government
Various means and venues were used by the project to illustrate the role of
natural resources to livelihoods. The main tool was the MAS model. While the
model and role playing games (RPGs) developed were focusing mainly on
livelihoods, the project also established the links between water and
livelihoods.
Result 5: Community representatives made more proposals about environmental
livelihoods, act on environmental priorities and learn from experience
The community prepared proposals for livelihoods for products from vines and
non-timber forest products (NTFP), cashew and sea cucumber.
To address the four priority issues in the community, the TWGs focused on
three livelihood/ micro-projects: cashew trading & processing, ornamentals and
vegetable gardening. Cashew trading and processing has been buying and selling
cashew nuts collectively. Some of the members though preferred to do the drying
and shelling of the nuts individually in their homes so they did not have to go
out of their houses while doing the activities. Cashew nuts abound in April and
May and when supply decreased, the women processed and sold their stocks at a
good price.
Members involved with ornamentals grow various kinds of flowers and plants in
their homes and market the plants as a group. They usually supplied plants and
pebbles of different colors and sizes to landscape contractors. The group had a
new display center or booth in the public market where plants were sold to the
public. Another strategy used by the group to market their produce from the
three barangay, was to join the trade fair Baragatan on the foundation day of
the Provincial government where products from the different municipalities were
for sale.
With the coming of the wet season, the vegetable group started preparing
their lots for planting vegetables. Some of the members of this group used to
grow vegetables individually, but this time they intended to market their
products collectively.
Other identified activities/projects were cattle fattening and business
planning training. They realized that the livelihood was most appropriate and
explored the full potential of natural resources or raw materials abundant in
the area.
The community considered water an important resource that linked livelihood
and the environment. In this connection, proposals for water systems at various
levels have been prepared by the different barangays.
Result 6: Community members acted less as individuals and nominated and
selected representatives through democratic process
The formation of community TWGs involved a voluntary process based on members’
interest and capability and leaders chosen by the members themselves. The groups
worked very well after capacity building training. The working groups have been
the main recipients of assistance and capability building activities provided by
the project.
Result 7: A current or potential partner indicates forward contract for new
environmental product
Regarding cashew and honey, there were initial discussions and samples were
sent to an entrepreneur from Manila who supplied honey and cashew to hotels not
only in Manila but in other provinces.
A discussion with Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines had taken place
regarding potential market for cashew and other products from the project site.
Similar to the demand of previous buyers last year, they wanted to buy volume of
cashew nuts for big processors. This being the case, the cashew group lacked the
capital to buy cashew in volume and they would lose the income from processing
the nuts or the added value.
Result 8: Scientists were able to communicate with and influenced development
actors by using simple simulation approaches
Development of the MAS model considered mainly the factors and environment in
which community people made decisions regarding choice and conduct of livelihood
activities. Through the model and its accompanying (Role Playing Games) RPGs,
community people better understood the factors that affected their livelihood.
Thus through the facilitation process groups were able to make better livelihood
decisions. The tools were also presented to representatives of government
agencies, NGOs and local government officials when they were gathered by the LPF
Project in various workshops to introduce the simulation tool. Many development
actors have expressed interest in using the tool and the approach.
Key lessons learned from the MAS Modelling exercise in the Palawan case:
Most livelihood activities within the three villages were seasonal. Most people
considered these livelihood activities as “sidelines” or small sources of
income: thus there was a need for more stable or regular livelihood programs for
the villagers.
The migrants focused more on generating income when performing their
livelihood activities, while for the Bataks, the indigenous people in the area
tried to make a living while being able to protect the forests for the future of
their children at the same time.
The Bataks were very much dependent on the migrants for their livelihood as
these migrants were the traders to whom the Bataks sell the NTFPs they collected
from the forest. At the same time, the migrants considered this trading activity
as an important livelihood activity. Nevertheless, the local traders took
advantages of the Bataks when it came to pricing of the goods. There was a need
to find the balance in the trade so that both sides can benefit from it.
There was still a big misunderstanding between the migrants and the Bataks,
with the Bataks being perceived as lazy and not smart as they do not know how to
handle money properly; the migrants harbored a sense of resentment against the
Bataks, especially when the Bataks are not using properly the assistance or
support they got.
Key results from the MAS modeling exercise in the Palawan case:
In the FGD exercise, information on the different aspects of the livelihood
activities in the villages, such as costs and income generation were gathered.
This information was used by the TWG to help them plan for their future
livelihood activities.
Discussions between the LPF staff, government offices and NGOs were under way
with regards to how to translate the RPG into a tool that would have minimal use
of electricity and equipment, such that this tool could be used in remote areas
where there is no electricity.
The stakeholders appreciate the lessons they get from the RPG. The processes
used in making it such that they have endorsed the use of the MAS model and its
associated artifacts. The computer model and the RPG were used as tools to help
the Barangay Development Council (BDC) in its resource management planning
exercise (the BDC consists of community members and take charge of formulating a
village development plan). This endorsement comes in the form of a letter signed
by the participants of the RPG workshops.
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