1. Overview (of developing landscape governance)
CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT:
AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges
Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation
Overview (of developing landscape governance)
Tinagong Dagat CH, Lambunao,
Iloilo, Panay Island
The Philippines' NIPAS act dictates how a PA is established.
Protected Area - "A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.” (IUCN)
Critical Habitat - Refers to areas outside PAs under RA 7586 that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as such based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or richness, presence of man-made pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living in the area, among others.
Conservation areas at a glance:
Protected Areas (PAs):
240 (as of 2012)
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs):
128
Important Bird/Biodiversity Areas (IBAs):
117
Critical Habitat (CH):
6 (declared by DENR, as of 2014)
6 (declared by LGUs: 1 Pangasinan, 3 Central Panay, 1 Mindoro, 1 Nueva Ecija).
CH for Rafflesia speciosa, Barbaza, Antique
Central Panay Mountains
IBA (PH061)

2. CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT:
AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges
Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation
What happened and why?
How a PA is made
It can take years to wait for Presidential proclamations or congressional actions:
How a CH is made
A mere declaration from the local government or DENR can fully establish a CH:
How a PA is managed
The local government unit (LGU) is merely a member of the management board, headed by DENR. This adversely affects the desire of the LGU to commit and share resources.
How a CH is managed
Here the tables are turned: the LGU leads CH management wherein DENR promises to provide technical support through partnership or a Co-Management Agreement.

3. CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT:
AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges
Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation
What happened and why?
Key Challenges
Limited capacity of key stakeholders in the KBA/IBA on biodiversity conservation and natural resources governance.
Limited resources to support studies on the population and distribution of threatened species in the KBA/IBA and areas targeted for CH establishment.
Overlapping political jurisdiction between and among LGUs over the targeted CH.
Natural resources conservation remains to be “low priority” by LGUs.
Habitat loss.
Biophysical Survey in Cluster 1 municipalities (Sebaste and Culasi side) in the Central Panay Mountain Range.
Key Solutions
Capacity building for LGUs, DENR and general public on biodiversity conservation and CH process, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
Conduct of Bio-physical Survey - a combination of Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), purposive search and full survey to validate and determine population of globally-threatened indicator species with support from LGU and key stakeholders.
Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147) and CH establishment guidelines.
Why and why not? (hindering factors)
National and local policies not supportive to local governance and biodiversity conservation.
Poor law enforcement.
What could have been done differently?
Mainstreaming of CH establishment and biodiversity conservation in local development planning.

4. CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT: Draft recommendations
AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges
Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation
Draft recommendations
Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147) and CH establishment guidelines.
Integration of CH Management Plan into local development plans (e.g. FLUP, CLUP)
Programmatic capacity building interventions for partner LGUs and communities (e.g. CCA, biodiversity, indigenous peoples, natural resources governance, among others.)
Continuous identification and assessment of potential areas for CH establishment.
Enactment of Local Legislations to protect and conserve globally-threatened species and their habitats.
Promote ”co-management agreement” between and among key stakeholders on CH management.d
CPMR KBA/IBA, Madalag, Aklan, Panay Island
LGU technical staff using GPS and GIS in establishing CH boundaries, CPMR KBA/IBA, Panay Island