MEMORANDUM

FOR : The Director

THRU : The Chief, Forest Investment Development

FROM : The FIDD Technical Staff

SUBJECT : TRAVEL REPORT ON THE PROVISION OF

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF INVSTMENT PLAN DEVELOPENT
OF DENR CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
(CAR)

DATE :

Pursuant to the Travel Order No. 1554 and 1553, in relation to the
adoption and institutionalization of Forestry Investment Road Map (FIRM)
and finalization of Forest Investment Portfolio Approach (FIPA) Policy, and
to assist the DENR Regional Office in their target investment plan for their
proposed forest investment area, thus, the conduct of this fieldwork.

The FMB-FIDD team were also requested by the DENR-CAR to

conduct an orientation and levelling off session regarding the FIRM and
FIPA. This meeting was attended by representatives from DENR-CAR and
PENROs and CENROS. The meeting was conducted in order to re-orient
the participants about the FIRM and the draft FIPA policy.

HIGLIGHTS DURING THE ORIENTATION/LEVELLING OFF ABOUT FIRM

AND FIPA

The meeting includes the presentation of the FIRM, draft FIPA and
updates from the CAR-Regional Office (RO) regarding the development of
the investment plan.

Originally, the RO proposed Mt. Kalauitan, a potential ecotourism

site, that covers 3 provinces that includes Mt. Province, Benguet and
Ifugao. It has a total area of around 14,000 hectares. It was once planned
to be included as a Protected Area, aside from its ecological profile,
however, the communities there objected. The area is also 80% covered by
CADC/CADT.

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 To date, the RO personnel in charge of FIRM/FIPA were able to
conduct Barangay and Municipal consultations to 5 municipalities covered
by the 3 provinces that includes municipalities of Bontoc, Sabangan,
Bauko, Buguias and Hungduan. These municipalites were already
executed a Sanggunian Bayan Resolution endorsing the conduct of
activities related to the development of the investment plan.

Due to limited time, it was suggested that the target investment area
be reduced in a smaller domain. Provided the unique dynamics of CAR,
particularly in dealing with indigenous people/communities (IPs), and how
these IPs anchored there lives and culture to the land. Even to this modern
days, IPs of CAR are still worried that introduction of development
managed by private investors will displaced them to their ancestral lands.
Thus, the challenge is to how FIRM or FIPA can fit to these realities,
wherein the forest dwellers have much higher regard to culture and
ancestry.

As the draft FIPA was presented, various comments and suggestions

were raised. ARD for Technical For. Lagon suggested that in the case of IP-
claimed areas, there should be provision in the draft policy or a supporting
policy in line to FIPA wherein IPs residing or has claim in the area, has
prior rights and shall be consider as the priority investor, provided that
they are also financially capable.

Accordingly, IPs believe that they are the owner of their land, since
time immemorial, and that they are only amenable with regards to
resource management within their domain. Areas for investment are even
included in their ADSDPP.

Some suggestions includes the rephrasing of Item 7.2 Securing of

Documentary Requirements, which according to them seems misleading.
Thus, it was suggested to be reworded as …’assist and facilitate in securing
necessary documents….’

With regards to FIRM, some suggested to include carbon trading and

other ecosystem services as part of FIRM commodities since these are also
viable for investments.

It was agreed that the proposed area be reduced and focused in the
area of Bauko, where there is an area of around 1,200 hectares. This area
has also CADC/CADT, but the IPs are very much willing to welcome
investments. Municipality of Bauko, Mt. Province is known for ecotourism
sites which are mostly nature-based such as caves, falls, mossy forests
and rice terraces. The area is also starting to be recognized as a
trekking/hiking spot.

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FIELD ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT AREA

The FIDD Team, together with regional personnel and representatives from
CENRO Sabangan, went to the proposed area to conduct rapid
reconnaissance survey. They also used drone to include larger coverage
and to appreciate the actual land-use in the area, which are trees and
mossy forests in Bauko side, while vegetable gardens in the Buguias side.
There were also sightings of wild birds and vegetation along the the way.

Insert maps and pictures

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RECOMMENDATION:

After the field visit, and review of secondary data, the following are
the team’s recommendations:

1. Since forestland in general are considered CADT-eable, our policies shall

have provisions considering such conditions. For example, giving prior
rights to the IPs who are are actual dwellers of the land, especially in areas
like CAR and other IP dominated regions in Mindanao.

2. In the case of CAR, in line to FIRM, most of their investments are

considered low-hanging fruits or investments that needs linkaging and
partnership mechanisms. There are almost no open area without tenure
that are available.

3. In relation to the comments during the levelling-off, draft FIPA policy

must be further enhanced and consider provisions related to IPs and their
ancestral claim/land.

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