MRDP to help conserve Davao ’s “pygmy forest”

San Isidro , Davao Oriental — Mt. Hamiguitan , known for its bonsai forest and the coastal areas here get P7 million environmental boost from the antipoverty program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

This, as the town becomes one of the six town-beneficiaries of the year-2 implementation of the DA- Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) under its Natural Resources Management (NRM) component.

With focus on Mt. Hamiguitan watershed, the ridge-to-reef landscape here is expected to nurture more diverse flora and fauna as the local government and MRPD implement a 136-hectare watershed rehabilitation with rubber-based farming on hilly lands amounting to close to P5 million. While, P2 million were earmarked on the coastal areas projects which include 7.5 hectare mangrove rehabilitation and setting up of 5 hectare fish sanctuary and marine reserves.

The Mt.. Hamiguitan mountain range and wild life sanctuary was declared protected area under RA 9303 of 2002. It is home to Mandaya tribe, the Philippine Eagle, important raw materials and some highly prized natural bonsai forming the popular “pygmy forest.”

Mayor Edgar Flor V. Saulon said the presence of MRDP in their town strengthens the local government’s continuing efforts in preserving their natural resources.

“We have waged campaign to protect our natural resources but we are still faced with problems of kaingin (salsh and burn) and illegal fishing. Hopefully with MRDP we can strengthen more our efforts,” he said.

San Isidro municipality is the second town in Davao region to have benefited from MRDP. Year-1 site was Don Marcelino in Davao del Sur.

“The program is more than happy to contribute to the conservation and protection efforts here because not only we help combat poverty, we also help protect Mt. Hamiguitan , Mindanao ’s proud bonsai natural park,” said NRM head Dennis Pauil Mijares.

NRM activities will also provide resource-based alternative livelihood to the people’s organization implementing projects under the Program.

During the launching activity recently, local officials, representatives from the provincial government and the people’s organization signed a manifesto declaring their commitment to support the environmental protection project through proper legislations and information and advocacy activities.

Mijares said NRM component implements protection and conservation of the uplands, lowlands, and coastal areas noting that the activities in the uplands have downstream impact in the coastal areas. It is implemented with close coordination with the Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Commission of the Indigenous Peoples and the Bureau of Soil and Water Management.

By the end of the MRDP in 2012, NRM component will have established environmental projects in 24 towns with upland to coastal connectivity landscapes across Mindanao .(Sherwin B. Manual/DA-MRDP)

First Mindanao-wide forum on mariculture to be held in CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO—To meet the growing consumer demand for live food fish, more international seafood buyers are turning to mariculture farms for a sustainable supply of popular marine species like grouper.

And this, industry analysts say, spells opportunity for Mindanao, which over the past decade has been developing the components for an integrated mariculture industry with the potential to significantly expand its exports, while helping to conserve food fish stocks in the wild.

This subject will be the focus of the 1st Mindanao Techno Forum on Mariculture, which will be held at the Chali Beach Resort in Cagayan de Oro from August 26 to 27, and is expected to draw fish farmers, investors, mariculture experts, economic development planners, and chamber of commerce representatives from across the region.

“It’s time to integrate Mindanao’s mariculture sector,” said Dr. Hector San Juan, vice president for agriculture, mining and fishery of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.

“Already we have a strong aquaculture base here in Northern Mindanao which is looking to diversify into mariculture,” said San Juan. “And Western Mindanao has the multi-species hatchery in Tawi-Tawi, for a ready supply of fingerlings.”

The Oro Chamber is organizing the event in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.

San Juan said that visiting investors and buyers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and other Asian countries are generally impressed by Mindanao’s comparative advantages in mariculture, including its typhoon-free climate and the number of sites highly suitable for fish farm development.

“What is crucial is the reliability of supply and volume,” he added. “This calls for Mindanao industry stakeholders to work towards greater integration.”

This would require the different industry components—which includes hatchery operators, fish growers, processors, exporters, and auxiliary service providers such as packing and shipping companies—to coordinate their efforts and ensure the smooth flow of inputs and outputs along the mariculture supply chain.

The Philippines does not have updated information on production from the mariculture and live capture of high-value species, but industry analysts estimate that the combined annual production of grouper and abalone is approximately 700 metric tons.

About 300 to 400 metric tons of these two species come from Mindanao, according to data gathered by the GEM Program, which is working with the private sector and BFAR to develop a sustainable mariculture supply chain for export in the region.

The technology forum will include plenary sessions on cultivating grouper, abalone and bangus; mariculture business models and best practices; investment opportunities; and the supply requirements of selected Singapore and Hong Kong buyers.

The forum is part of the lead-up to the 19th Mindanao Business Conference, which will run from September 17 to 18 in Cagayan de Oro City. GEM

SIOCON GOES GREENER

Residents of Brgy. Tabayo in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, listen as an instructor explains the importance of good agricultural practices during vegetable production training conducted by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. The Tabayo growers and other groups in the Zamboanga peninsula are being assisted by GEM to grow pinakbet vegetables, such as squash, ampalaya (bitter gourd), eggplant, string beans, and okra, as well as standard chopsuey ingredients like cabbage, sweet pepper and cauliflower. The GEM Program, through its Targeted Commodity Expansion Project (TCEP), is helping Mindanao growers to develop new markets and increase their domestic out-shipments of vegetables, under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority. GEM

South Asian Box Turtle

An illegally caught South Asian Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis) from marshy villages of Midsayap, North Cotabato sold for P40 to P50 each along the street in Davao City. A biologist from University of Southern Mindanao (USM)- Kabacan that this turtle’s status is “vulnerable.” This is commonly found at the periphery of Ligusan Marsh. The Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) says trade of this specie is strictly regulated. Keith Bacongco / AKP Images

Illegal Trade

An illegally caught South Asian Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis) from marshy villages of Midsayap, North Cotabato sold for P40 to P50 each along the street in Davao City. A biologist from University of Southern Mindanao (USM)- Kabacan that this turtle’s status is “vulnerable.” This is commonly found at the periphery of Ligusan Marsh. The Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) says trade of this specie is strictly regulated. Keith Bacongco / AKP Images