Roxas, Oriental Mindoro – Nineteen (19) Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) from Oriental and Occidental Mindoro took a significant step toward establishing biodiversity-friendly livelihoods after successfully completing a five-day Business Planning and Proposal Writing Writeshop conducted from June 16 to 20, 2026 by the DENR, with the support of the DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project- Mindoro Biodiversity Corridor (MBC).
Implemented pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-13, or the “Guidelines for the Development and Recognition of Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises (BDFEs) in the Protected Areas under the National Integrated Protected Area System and Conservation Areas, Providing for the Incentives and Supporting Mechanisms,” the activity helped strengthen the capacity of IPOs to develop viable business plans and proposals that support both community development and biodiversity conservation.
A major outcome of the writeshop was the preparation of initial business proposals by the participating IPOs—an important milestone in their journey toward the establishment of BDFEs. Each organization identified nursery development as its priority enterprise, recognizing its potential to support reforestation efforts, provide sustainable sources of planting materials, and generate additional income for indigenous communities.
Aside from crafting business proposals, work and financial plans were prepared, demonstrating their commitment to sustaining the proposed enterprises outlining not only the supplies and materials and equipment needed for implementation but also their counterpart contributions such as labor, transportation, and other operational requirements. Priority training and capacity-building needs were also identified to further strengthen their enterprises, paving the way for future collaboration with local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies.
The activity brought together technical experts and partner institutions committed to supporting indigenous communities. Representatives from the DENR- Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) of Sablayan, San Jose, Roxas, and Socorro; the LGUs of Abra de Ilog, Bansud, Bulalacao, Gloria, and Santa Cruz; the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) provided guidance and technical assistance throughout the writeshop.
Mr. Teofilo Rover, Secretary of the San Juan San Roque Livelihood Farmers Association (SJSRLFA) in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, shared the association’s experience as a beneficiary of the Department of Agriculture’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program, which provided training on native animal production, vegetable production, and Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), as well as agricultural inputs, farm tools, and machinery. He encouraged the participating IPOs to strengthen collaboration with government agencies and development partners to access technical assistance and capacity-building opportunities that could support the growth and sustainability of their enterprises.
The 19 IPOs are potential recipients of the BDFE financial assistance amounting to PhP 250,000 each to support their livelihoods through the establishment of biodiversity-friendly enterprises, and contribute to the long-term conservation goals of the MBC.
The writeshop marks more than the preparation of business documents—it represents a concrete step toward empowering Indigenous Peoples as partners in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, ensuring that environmental stewardship and community prosperity advance hand in hand.
This story is published under the DENR-UNDP/GEF Project “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. 📝🪴
