Protected Area Management Enhancement in the Philippines (PAME-PH) -Cluster C

The Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) to implement the Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project. Together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), specifically the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), PAME aims to enhance the management of 60 existing protected areas (PAs) and the establishment of at least 100 new terrestrial or marine protected areas.

In 2006 and 2009, PAWB-DENR together with Conservation International-Philippines, the Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Nature, and various experts and partners identified 228 terrestrial and marine key biodiversity areas (KBAs). These KBAs represent the known habitats of 855 globally-threatened species, restricted-range species, and globally-significant congregations of species found in the country (Ambal et al. 2012). At present, only 78 of these KBAs are represented in the Philippine National Integrated Protected Areas System. Since 2010, the management effectiveness of 35 of these national protected areas has been assessed using the management effectiveness tracking tool (METT).

One of the key project objectives is the strengthening of at least 60 existing protected areas in KBA. For purposes of this consultancy, 62 PAs have been selected and are grouped into seven regional clusters.

These PAs will be assessed and analyzed in terms of (but not limited to) legal, institutional, financial, process, and cooperation aspects, among others. The output of this exercise will then be used as baseline, and as such, will be one of the bases for measuring project impact. The results of the assessment will also serve as basis for the support that will be provided to enhance effectiveness in the management of the PA.

The aim of this consultancy is to produce, for each PA, a management effectiveness and capacity assessment (MECA) report which contains updated data and information about the PA with special emphasis on the PA’s management effectiveness. The METT, in combination with other appropriate instruments (whenever appropriate and agreed), will be used to determine the actual PA management effectiveness.

SEARCA has been assigned to conduct the study in the following protected areas in Regions 4A and 5:

  1. Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL)
  2. Mts. Palay-palay and Mataas na Gulod Protected Landscape (MPPMGPL)
  3. Quezon Protected Landscape (QPL)
  4. Mts. Banahaw and San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL)
  5. Alibijaban Wilderness Area (AWA)
  6. Abasig-Matognon-Mananap Natural Biotic Area (AMMNBA)
  7. Mt. Isarog Natural Park
  8. Lagonoy Natural Biotic Area
  9. Caramoan Natural Park
  10. Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve
  11. Bicol Natural Park
  12. Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

The main tasks and activities of this consultancy are as follows:

  1. Lead the process of data/information gathering, stakeholder consultation, review, analysis, and ultimately packaging of Management and Capacity Assessment report for each assigned PA.
  2. Represent PAME project (in cooperation with the GIZ-PAWB PAME Project Management Office) in regional and local consultation meetings. Such representation includes orienting the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) about the PAME Project.
  3. Collect and scan/digitize relevant documents (i.e., protected areas suitability assessment; legislation and regulations; maps including zoning, major infrastructure, human settlements, and indigenous people ancestral domains; management plans; designation of PAMB members; staffing and budget for the past 3 years, stakeholder perception surveys; law enforcement/patrolling records; biological and socio-economic assessments and monitoring; minutes of last 3 PAMB meetings; and any past management effectiveness assessments).
  4. Ensure a participatory process in the conduct of stakeholder consultations using METT (terrestrial1 and marine2) and other agreed instruments/tools for determining PA management effectiveness.
  5. Conduct separate interviews with the Protected Area Superintendent, PAMB Chairperson and Co-Chairperson (local government representatives) to determine their respective views on the PA’s (a) significance/values, (b) most significant issues/challenges, (c) their preferred management solutions/interventions, and (d) estimated amount of time/attention they have actually put into the protected area given their other tasks/duties. Additionally, also an assessment of the degree to which the Protected Area Superintendent has a relationship with and been able to work with and mobilize relevant local government(s), local communities, and resident indigenous peoples given the reality of limited resources.
  6. Provide an independent expert view (based on the review and analysis, of data/information gathered, the results of the consultations, etc.)abouteach protected area’s significance/values, issues/challenges, management effectiveness, and needs.
  7. Organize and facilitate a workshop to validate the findings of the METT survey results including those information that were obtained from interviews, and together with the PA stakeholders to facilitate agreement on appropriate measures and activities for enhancing the management of the PA.
  8. Organize a Regional Cluster Consultation Workshop (amongst the PAs covered) which aims to draw common operational, management and policy issues/conclusions, and recommendations.
  9. In collaboration with the PAME-PMO, assist and provide inputs to a National Workshop aimed to present the findings, conclusions and recommendations for enhancing PA management effectiveness in the Philippines.



Project Details

  • Protected Area Management Enhancement in the Philippines (PAME-PH) -Cluster C
  • Completed
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Mar 2013 Nov 2013