Development of an Integrative Policy Framework for the Mt. Isarog National Park

Abstract

Policies and programs on protected areas that are supposed to guide local and site-based conservation and management efforts are often formulated by outside experts. For this reason, conflicts during implementation are usually encountered. Hence, the need to harmonize such policies and programs to ensure their effective implementation. The study aimed to attain the following objectives: (1) to review the policies, programs, plans and projects impacting the protection management of the Mt. Isarog National Park (MINP) in Camarines Sur, Philippines; (2) to identify possible areas of complementation among these policies, programs, plans and projects; (3) to identify areas of conflict and other key issues among these policies, programs, plans and projects that could hinder or constrain management activities in the park; and, (4) to develop a policy framework for integrating the various policies, programs, plans and projects bearing on the management of the MNP to ensure effective management and active involvement of stakeholders.

The study involved a review of a number of policies and programs deemed to impact on management and protection efforts in the MNP. These included the MNP General Management Plan (200-2004), National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992, Indigenous People's Right Act of 19997, Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, and Bicol Regional Development Framework (2001-2004). The subsequent analysis of policy focused on identifying key issues both in the content as well as in the process of implementing these policies and programs. Such issues were validated through key informant interview with stakeholders and protected area experts. Additional issues and inputs were likewise solicited from the selected respondents. Based on corresponding specific recommendations, an integrative policy framework was developed.

Results of the study revealed policy conflicts with regard to development thrusts and protected area management frameworks. Due to these conflicts, management activities and planning processes were disjointed and uncoordinated. The study also validated findings of previous researches showing the limitations of decentralized protected area management framework provided in the NIPAS law. Implementation of current policy framework demonstrated dominance of national government agencies and planners in local protected area management bodies and processes.

In the case of the MINP, the above structure hindered the development of a more participatory and site-based approach to protected area management. Thus, the study recommends an integrative policy framework that will harmonize current thrusts and perspectives on development and protected area management. Consequently, management plans and processes a the local and regional levels will be integrated. The end-goal is a co-management strategy that calls for a more decentralized decision-making and planning system within the MINP. Such system would allow local government units and empowered sectors to take greater and more substantial roles in protected area management.