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To effectively manage the biodiversity conservation in Mindanao and its protected areas (PAs), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducts the 5th Mindanao Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Network Conference hosted by DENR Region 10 on February 8-9, 2023 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The PAMB network is a collaboration among stakeholders and partners that promotes biodiversity conservation in Mindanao PAs. It was organized in 2015 as an avenue where Mindanao PAMBs can share their experiences, lessons learned, practices, partnership approaches, among others.
“We need to achieve balance with the diverse and conflicting interests to manage the protected areas effectively and to achieve sustainable development for all,” says Assistant Secretary (ASec) for Policy, Planning and Foreign Assisted and Special Projects and concurrent Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.

ASec Amaro added that the Mindanao PAMB Network is an opportunity to converge and harmonize especially with the directive of DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga in the harmonization of forest land use plans, collaborative land management of common pool resources and Alternative Dispute Resolutions.

“Effectively managed protected area is vital in safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem balance, building resilience through impacts of climate change and conserving natural resources,” said ASec Arleigh J. Adorable, OIC, Asst. Secretary for Field Operations-Western Mindanao and Concurrent Forest Management Bureau Director.

DENR 10 Regional Executive Director Henry A. Adornado said that the Mindanao PAMB Network is trying to expand its network to other areas such as Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other areas. RED Adornado added that this will allow the DENR to have a complete network here in Mindanao.

Principal Advisor Responsible Land Governance in Mindanao-GIZ Erlinda Dolatre said that land matters for biodiversity, culture, and peace. She said that they are interested to be updated with the PAMB journey and to share their learning and experience with the harmonization of protected area management plan with the other land use plans.

The activity included updates from the REDs/representatives, discussion of Salient Provision of IPRA Law, Integrated Approach in Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines Project: Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor and Free Prior and Informed Consent Process, Harmonization of Protected Area Management Plan with other Land Use Plans, Collaborative Land Management, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. A PAMB meeting was also conducted during the event.

The network’s membership includes all Mindanao PAMBs in 38 out of 46 PAs in regions 9,10, 11, 12 and 13. The network envisions sustaining biodiversity resources and managing the PAs in Mindanao based on culture and science. It supports the sustained biodiversity conservation of over 1,323,461 hectares of PAs in Mindanao that will benefit the present and future generations.

A total of 263 PAMB members from Regions 9,10,11,12 and 13 attended the event. The 5th PAMB Network Conference is in partnership with Bukidnon State University, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and sponsored by Responsible Land Governance in Mindanao Project of Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. (#TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG No. 02-025-2023)