Track record:  Accomplished Projects

National Environmental Congress.  To date, the PFEC has organized 13 national environmental congresses and 3 regional environment congresses.  The environmental congress serve as venue for study of environmental issues, promote coordinated efforts to find appropriate solutions to these issues, forge development partnerships and further strengthen linkages among participating organizations, the academe, among POs/NGOs and relevant government agencies and institutions.

National Networking of Environmental Organizations was funded by the Dutch Embassy in 1992-1995. This project resulted in the creation of island-wide environmental networks based in Mindanao (Davao) and the Visayas (Cebu), the production of a National Directory of Environmental NGOs and POs which was updated until 1995, the holding of 2 national environmental congresses outside of Manila (1 in Cebu and 1 in Davao City).

National and regional consultations in preparation for the earth summit in Brazil.  PFEC facilitated the preparatory activities for the Country Paper to be presented by the Philippines in the Earth Summit funded by the UNDP and the DENR.

Deputization of members of people’s organizations as Special Deputized Environment and Natural Resources Officer (SDENRO).  The PFEC pioneered in this effort, prepared the necessary requirements, manuals and training modules for deputization.   PFEC trained the first batches of deputized SDENROs in the Philippines --- fisherfolk, farmers’ group and women-youth. This was done in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  The Deputization Program was later adopted by the DENR. 

Comprehensive Geographical Study of Ormoc, Leyte.  This was a joint study conducted by PFEC and the ESSC funded by the DENR after the Ormoc tragedy.  Result of the study including recommendations for the rehabilitation of Ormoc City and surrounding environment was presented to the provincial and city governments as well as all relevant agencies in Leyte.  It served as basis for the Ormoc rehabilitation program.

GEF Small Grants Multi-Stakeholder Workshops.   In year 2000 and 2001, the PFEC was contracted by UNDP-SGP to conduct and facilitate the various workshops of the GEF Small Grants Program (Cebu, Palawan and Tagaytay).  Funded by the UNDP GEF-Small Grants Program, more people’s organizations were able to participate and access funds for their biodiversity conservation and environmental protection projects.

Organized two (2) Community-based Forest Management Areas.   Funded by the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) in 1996 - 1998 , two community forestry projects ( 1 in Silago, Southern Leyte and on in Tagkawayan, Quezon) was developed by PFEC.  The organized POs were both given their Community-based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMA) and managing the forest areas awarded to them by the DENR.  The community forestry project in Southern Leyte was turned-over to the local government by the DENR while the project in Barangay Mapulot, Tagkawayan, Quezon (MCRDAI) continues to be given assistance by PFEC in their development initiatives.

Eco-timber Study:  Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.  The study was done in 1997-1998 to explore the possibility of establishing linkages between the community eco-timber producers of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and the furniture makers/exporters in the Philippines.  With support from the Sustainable Forestry Fund of ICCO, the study was used by ICCO as input in improving Eco-forestry Projects in PNG and SI, and instrumental in the organization of Eco-forestry Forum in PNG (network of eco-timber producers) , one of the major recommendations of the study.  The small volume of eco-timber production, lesser-known species and the high cost of transport from PNG/SI to the Philippines were major constraints seen by the Philippine furniture makers.

Accomplishments under the current program:

Enterprise Development

Establishment of sustainable, environmentally sound income generating activities

• Rattan handicraft production and commercial upland fishpond management with assistance from the Philippine-German Fund  ( 2 POs)
• Citronella essential oil production with regular market in Manila being implemented by the small farmer’s cooperative of Brgy. Kanapawan.
• Rice trading/retailing (2 POs)
• Goat raising (2 POs)
• Cooperative store ( 1 PO)

Forest management

Established 3 indigenous tree nurseries with 3 PO cooperators

• Mapped mother trees in two barangay forests
• Developed together with Guisican Barangay Council a resource management and development plan for the Barangay
• Initial funding agreement with the Municipality of Labo for the establishment of softwood nurseries for the development of softwood plantations in coconut areas of the Municipality of Labo.  Three POs will benefit from the project.

Networking and Advocacy

Facilitated/encouraged DENR-Region V to develop special projects (livelihood proposals) for community forestry POs in Region V

• Accessed the services and got the cooperation of government line agencies e.g. DOST, TESDA, DTI, DA for PO technical needs
• Raised awareness at the provincial, municipal and barangay levels regarding the existence of the community forestry program and opportunities for cooperation.
• Engaged the DENR  on forestry policy reforms resulting to 3 draft Department orders now under consultation including the bill on Sustainable Forest Management

• History

• PFEC Principles

• Board and Staff

• Networks and Affiliations