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Identification and Assessment of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainability for a Community based Forest Management Project in Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines
Abstract:
The study was conducted in a community-based forest management (CBFM) project in Ilagan, Isabela, which covers an approximate area of 10,220.118 hectares. The project was managed by the VIBANARA Multipurpose Cooperative Inc. (VMPCI), a people’s organization based in Rang-ayan, Ilagan, Isabela with a total membership of 367. The study was undertaken from November 2000 to July 2001 to identify and assess a set of criteria and indicators of sustainability for CBFM project that is acceptable to and measurable by the communities or people’s organizations.
Data collection involved a combination of individual and key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation, setting up and measurement of erosion plots and vegetation plots, analysis of soil properties, and review of secondary data and other related literature. Data were analyzed using means, frequencies, percentages, t-test, Chi-square test, and least significant difference test.
Results of the study indicated that based on the perceptions of VMPCI and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), there were 23 indicators that have to be considered for the attainment of sustainable CBFM in Ilagan, Isabela. These indicators were categorized into two: socioeconomic and biophysical criteria. In the socioeconomic criteria, about 15 indicators were identified and these were grouped into three, as follows: (1) indicators related to organizational capability with seven indicators listed, (2) indicators related to socioeconomic benefits to members and their distribution with six indicators identified, and (3) indicators related to institutional support with about two indicators cited. For the biophysical criteria, there were eight indicators identified related to conservation of ecosystem, health, and vitality.
Among the 23 sustainability indicators tested, measured, examined, and assessed, it was found out that five indicators were not contributing to the sustainability of the Ilagan CBFM. These were (1) generation of capital and net profit from local enterprises, (2) available credit facilities/services, (3) employment generation, (4) distribution of benefits, and (5) enhanced protection of CBFM area.
The VMPCI and DENR were of the perception that there was hierarchy among sustainability indicators identified. Based on the relative weights assigned to each indicator, it can be concluded that the Ilagan CBFM is 77.7 percent sustainable according to the people’s organization’s perception. This value was almost the same as the DENR’s perception that the Ilagan CBFM is 77.9 percent sustainable.