Search for Best CBFM PO in Region 8 launched

By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
August 3, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched a “Search for the best CBFM Peoples Organization in Region 8 for the year 2010”. The launching was made on July 23, 2010 during the First Regional CBFM People’s Organization Summit held at the Paraclete Renewal Center in Salvacion, Tacloban City.

Presidents of the six CBFM POs with GTZ representative Forester Rogelio Abalos (2nd from left) and DENR FMS RTD Felipe Calub (3rd from left) posed after receiving their certificates of recognition as Best CBFM PO in their respective provinces.

The search aim to boost the level of enthusiasm of the POs and encourage them to undertake project activities which would enhance their environment and their socio economic status; encourage healthy competition among the POs and remind them to be compliant POs as regards to environmental regulations and other laws and principles governing POs; come up with a showcase PO which would serve as model for other POs and other DENR clientele in demonstrating upland development technologies and other ideal activities being done by POs in developing CBFM projects and the upland areas.

Regional Technical Director Felipe S. Calub of the Forest Management Service disclosed that six POs which were pre-selected as the Best CBFM POs in the six provinces of Region 8 are vying for the title as Best CBFM PO 2010. These are: the Young Innovators for Social and Environmental Development Association (YISEDA) in Lunas, Canlugoc, Maasin City; Kawayan CBFM Producers Association (KCPA) in Brgy. Madao and Ungali, Kawayan, Biliran; Katatapuran nga Pederasyon han mga Parag-uma han Samar (KAPPAS) in Tenani, Paranas, Samar; Cooperative Forest Development, Inc. in Borongan, Eastern Samar; Bililhong Ani sa Katunggan Hangtod sa Walay Katapusan in Brgy, Cruz, Palompon, Leyte; and the Luisita Upland Farmers Association in Luisita, Buenasuerte, Victoria, Northern, Samar.

Following a set of criteria, the selection of the Best CBFM PO will undergo different stages: These stages include the evaluation of credentials by the board of experts. These credentials include documentation of project activities that shall support that the PO has complied or completed the provisions in its updated Community Resource Management Framework; Socio-economic contribution to community development or the PO’s participation in community development activities and other civic activities; PO is in good standing and has never been blacklisted by the DOLE, SEC, CDA and other registering agencies.

Other criteria include the ability of the PO to generate support from their respective local government units in terms of technical and financial support for project development undertakings. Linkaging with other partners such as government or private individuals and organizations as well as PO initiatives and innovations also form part of the criteria.

Validation on the ground and interviews with local government units and individuals who have influence with the PO contestants shall also be conducted to come up with a PO winner by the end of the year.

Regional Executive Director Primitivo C. Galinato, Jr. encourages the PO contestants not only to be ready with their credentials but also do development activities that are required of them. “We will be monitoring all the PO contestants to see to it that they are sustaining their activities even after the contest. The POs have significant role in upland development. In the DENR’s thrust of protecting the environment using the direction “From the Ridges to the Reefs”, the POs are considered as active partners of the DENR in the protection of the upland areas. Through the search for the Best CBFM PO, the POs’ exemplary performance will be recognized and the slow performing POs will be encouraged to work more for their projects, RED Galinato stressed.