The DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project successfully conducted Technical Programme Visits to its two pilot sites—the Mindoro Biodiversity Corridor (MBC) on March 26–29 and the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) on April 22–26, 2025.
The visits were led by UNDP-Philippines, in collaboration with the MBC and EMBC Corridor Directors and their Project Management Units, the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), Forest Management Bureau (FMB), Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and Corridor National Project Management Unit (NPMU), DENR-Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS), and project consultants, and aim to 🎯measure project implementation progress vis-à-vis the work plan, 🎯verify delivery of outputs and achievement of results, 🎯verify milestone reports, 🎯identify possible bottlenecks and alignment with the project objectives, and 🎯 exploring innovative strategies to enhance biodiversity conservation efforts.
Highlights from the Mindoro visit included meetings with DENR-MIMAROPA and key stakeholders, and a field trip to the SLM exemplar site in 📍Barangay Rizal, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro. This site, once part of a CBFMA area, is being revitalized through sustainable land management (SLM) practices, implemented by the BD Corridor Project through DA-BSWM and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).
The project aims to address land degradation and unsustainable farming practices by promoting Sustainable Land Management Exemplar Sites (SLMES) that showcase effective land restoration and agroecological methods. It involves careful site validation, active community engagement through training and capacity-building, and the provision of farming tools and materials such as seedlings suitable to the area, organic fertilizers, cutting tools, water pumps, shovels, and carts, depending on the needs of the site to support farmer-beneficiaries in implementing sustainable practices.
Key efforts during the site visit included documenting site development and engaging with the Irrigators Association to strengthen farmer-led advocacy.
“Dati po ang lugar na ito ay walang tanim, dati po itong may mga puno pero nasunog na po. Kaya po ngayon po nung nagkaroon po ng project dito, ng SLM, ito pong ating site ay maganda na po, maraming pananim, may mga prutas, at umaasa po kami na baling araw ay makakatulong ito sa aming kabuhayan.”
-Mr. Hans Christian Guevarra, head of the Irrigators Association, expressed his gratitude towards the project.
A meeting with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sablayan on the Resolution No. 2024-SDM401, which expresses the Municipality of Sablayan’s intent to enhance collaboration with the DENR and institutionalize its potential partnership within the framework of the MBC Project, further explored multi-sectoral collaboration on ✅Sustainable forestry, agriculture, and agritourism ✅Biodiversity-friendly enterprises such as dried fish processing and handicrafts ✅Local planning tools (e.g., CLUP, FLUP, SWM), and ✅Cultural and environmental protection, including cave and watershed management.
The EMBC Technical Programme Visit covered multiple engagements across the CARAGA and Davao Regions. The team visited the established SLM exemplar site in📍Barangay San Jose, Mainit, Surigao del Norte, where notable progress has been observed. After the implementation of the SLM at the site, interest in the project grew among local farmers, resulting in 14 additional farmer cooperators/adopters and expanding the covered area from the original 5 hectares to a total of 27 hectares. Additionally, a greenhouse will be established for farmer-beneficiaries under the Incentive Mechanism process of the project. Discussions also emphasized the installation of project signage and the development of documentation highlighting processes and lessons learned.
Key governance discussions with the Maragusan and Mati LGUs explored inter-LGU alliances, OECM area identification, and PA management. Coordination with REDs from DENR Regions XI and CARAGA was central to improving project ownership and fund disbursement arrangements.
📝Noteworthy partnerships and findings included:
📌Potential alignment with FFP’s small grants for PO beneficiaries
📌Synergy with Eco-CARAGA in Mt. Hilong-Hilong KBA for species conservation and BDFEs
📌Observations from UNDP’s Climate Action Team highlighted the EMBC as an emerging learning model for BD corridors and stressed the need to strengthen mainstreaming in local development plans and enhance private sector engagement
📌A museum tour at Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary spotlighted ongoing efforts of the project to make conservation more interactive through AVPs and interpretive materials.
This initiative is part of the DENR-UNDP/GEF project on “Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines” or BD Corridor Project, which seeks to operationalize integrated management of biodiversity corridors to generate multiple benefits, including effective conservation of globally threatened species and high conservation value forests, reduce deforestation and degradation, and enhance local biodiversity-friendly livelihoods.
The project is implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Global Environment Facility.