Meaningful Participation and Payments for Ecosystems Services (PES) in Forest Protection and Rehabilitation (FPR): A Case Study in the Philippines

Abstract

Deforestation and forest degradation is unabating globally, and forest conservation is continuously challenged by the growing demands placed on forests, so that their ecological stability has been compromised. In parallel, research on the impacts of conservation actions, including impacts of policies to restrict forest exploitation is limited in the Philippines. Consequently, an unprecedented decline in forest cover continues to exist, despite establishing a myriad of forest conservation initiatives to address deforestation. Conceptualising these uncertainties and their potential resolution, this study has focus on the concept of forest protection and rehabilitation (FPR) and people’s participation to highlight the multi-dimensional character of all restoration programs. The government and non-government organisations (NGOs) are initiating programs and projects to protect and rehabilitate the forests, yet it seems that forest conservation is imperfect in achieving its long-term goal. The structure of developing a conservatory approach along with the acceptance of people in the FPR and their participation and compliance, as well as the production of knowledge are considerably part of the learning process. Alternatively, nowadays it is widely suggested that forest conservation initiatives should foster participation with those who are directly interacting with the forest. Therefore, this study aims to assess the participation of people in the two case study areas of the government’s National Greening Program as well as on two case study areas in projects implemented by the NGOs. This is insightful in determining the gaps, challenges and opportunities of conserving the forests as well as having a deeper understanding of the participation processes in FPR. In doing so, the application of a case study approach and qualitative methods are necessary to understand the participation dynamics and processes of the local people in the four case study areas, as neither the quality of participation, nor the changes in the sense of environmental stewardship are quantified. Essentially, focus group discussions (FGD), interviews and field observations with scheme participants about the impact of FPR on the people, their environment and their willingness to adopt conservation ethos are utilised. This current study found that entrenching the concept of participation along with ecosystem services (ES) and payment for ecosystem services (PES) are imperative in FPR. Engaging people into genuine participation through ES and trying to develop their sense of ownership for conservation initiatives through PES can promote forest conservation efforts. More importantly, embodying meaningful participation that is defined as the exchange of knowledge in the form of voice and action with a deeper understanding of the problem and actions taken, and a balance in decision making as well as fostering respect of the cultures and beliefs of people within a system should be considered in forest conservation. Thus, it is suggested that the concept of meaningful participation be considered to further improve people’s participation in forest conservation. This concept is necessary to address deforestation by fostering people’s genuine participation to be able to achieve long-term solutions on deforestation.