Organization synergy in two community-based forest management project in Iloilo Province, Philippines

The study's findings were: the four major organizations in both CBFM [community-based forest management] projects namely, the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources], Non Government Organization [NGO], Local Government Units [LGUs] and Peoples Organization [PO] exercised their roles and were generally satisfied with their respective performances. In collaborative planning of the two CBFM projects, planning workshops were conducted during the start of the projects. Meetings were conducted at least once a month and were attended by representatives of the GOs, NGOs, and POs. The PO acted as the implementor while the DENR, LGU and NGO served as the support agencies which provided technical and some financial assistance to the PO. With respect to collaborative learning and communication, the concern of 4 major organizations communicated with each other not too often but readily if the need arose, specifically during meetings. They used cellular phones, two-way radios, land-line telephones, and face-to-face communication. Majority of the organizations were involved in constructive discussion of ideas in planning. With regard to collaborative management, different organizations recognized the roles of the communities and local leaders in the community to help in the project planning and implementation. When local leaders were trained and provided with enough skills and knowledge, their capability to undertake project activities was developed. The presence of synergy points to the success of the CBFM projects in Aripdip and Nazumi. There was effectiveness of the four aspects of synergy such as collaborative planning, collaborative management, collaborative learning and communication and collaborative financial/technical support. In both Aripdip and Nazuri CBFM projects, there were successes in improving the biophysical characteristics of the area resulting in economic benefits for the participants. The maintenance of the collaborative financial and technical support of LGUs and the DENR to the PO was essential