Part II Community-Based Forest Management Program - ppmrn

EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
The failure of the CO to attain its ultimate objective of transforming the
community into viable entities capable of maintaining the forest were
manifested in the present condition of the CBFM areas which are not being
adequately protected and maintained. The absence of protection and
maintenance activities adversely affected the sustenance of the survival
rates attained upon CSD termination.
On the other hand, the apparent concentration of the organized PO at the
PMRSP in managing its livelihood projects adversely affected the
maintenance and protection of the established plantation. The DENR
claimed that its low survival rate of 61.88% as of February 2006 was partly
attributed to the PO’s failure to conduct maintenance and protection
activities as they refocused their budget to livelihood projects.
Management’s Comments
Provided by FMB
Community organizing (CO) is
designed to encourage community
participation and later evolved into
community development and
empowerment. It is a continuing
process of capability enhancement and
strengthening organizations.
As cited in the report, while it is true
that the capability of the POs to
manage the forest on a long time basis
was not fully developed during the
conduct of community organizing, it
can be attributed to the very limited
number of CBFM staff working with
the communities and the resources
provided by the government. There is
really a need to strengthen the conduct
of CO and capability enhancement.
Thus, instead of dealing on the
negative side of the report, we will
appreciate it very much if you will
consider in your final report the
limitations of the government in
providing the needed support to
empower and make viable entities out
of POs.
Team’s Rejoinder
The team recognized that capability
enhancement of POs is supposed to be
a continuing activity. However, as it
is, after community organizing, the
training and assistance given to the
POs were very limited. Thus, their
capability was not enhanced which
adversely affected their capability to
manage the forest in a long term basis.
On the other hand, government
limitations in terms of providing
adequate staff and resources to
oversee the implementation of the
program and provide the needed
assistance should have been
considered even before the program
was carried out. If these are being
considered by the DENR as some of
the stumbling blocks in the success of
the program, then representations with
the Department of Budget and
Management and all sectors concerned
should be made.
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