Characterization of people's organizations in the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Laguna, Philippines

The study was conducted among 11 People's organizations (POs) within and among the Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) in 1998-1999. The POs were established between 1989 and 1995. Five of the 11 POs covered in the study had a MOA with the UPLB which were formalized between 1993 and 1997. These POs are referred to as PO1 in the study. All five POs were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The other six POs which had no agreement with UPLB are referred as PO2. The POs were established in 1994. Compared with the PO1 whose membership ranged from 42 to 129, PO2 has low membership, ranging only from seven to 29. Members of PO1 are relatively younger (mean age of 46 years), compared to the members of PO2(mean age of 53 years), majority of PO members who participated in the survey were female and married. The respondents from both PO types have low educational attainment. Majority (65%) of the PO1 respondents came from Los Baños while among PO2, those coming from Los Baños account for 34% only. The rest of PO2 respondents came from Sto. Tomas (29%) and Bay (25%) less than half of the respondents are born in their respective barangays [villages]. The average year of residence is about 35 years. Majority of the respondents reported farming as their primary occupation. Income sources include on-farm activities. Off-farm employment and non-farm activities. The respondents from PO1 had an average annual income of PhP44,059 while the respondents from PO2 had much higher average annual income at PhP 77,290. With regard to intra-organizational characteristics, PO1 has high participation while PO2 has low. However both PO types have low administrative and financial capabilities. As regards inter-organizational characteristics, PO1 has high autonomy while PO2 has low, but both PO types have high level of linkage. With regard to developmental functions, PO1 has high level of mobilization of their members compared to PO2; both PO types have high articulation function; both PO types have low level of two-way communication; and both PO types have low level of delivery of services. Majority of the respondents (85% and 73% of PO1 and PO2, respectively) approved the MOA. There was several reasons for approval: 1) to protect the Makiling forest; 2) the MOA is good; 3) it will be easy to inform the UPLB about the problems of the MFR; 4) for both the UPLB and the farmers to agree; 5) the farmers will be assisted; 6) so that the farmers will not be rejected; and 7) proof of partnership. PO1 and PO2 respondents identified continued occupancy as the number one benefit from the MOA. The farmers perceived that the MOA signifies UPLB's recognition of their occupancy in the MFR. The PO2 respondents believed that with the MOA, the UPLB will not anymore disturb the farmers. A few (3%) of the PO1 respondents perceived that the MOA is a certificate of occupancy. More than half (55%) did not know the POs and the University's responsibilities stipulated in the MOA. In general, the respondents agreed with the provisions of the MOA regarding the PO's responsibility. However, the PO1 respondents obtained the lowest score on item No.8 which requires the farmers to follow Executive Order (EO) No. 2 and other rules and regulations. The farmers agree with all the provisions regarding the UPLB's responsibilities as stipulated in the MOA. Only the provision about the UPLB 'to conduct a yearly evaluation of the plans and programs being implemented in the areas covered by the PO' obtained a lower score from both PO types. The POs sometimes, of not always, complied with the provisions of the MOA. On the other hand, the respondents had a general feeling that UPLB, never or sometimes complied with the provisions of the MOA. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are forwarded: 1) There is a need therefore to focus on enhancing the member's participation by the involvement of the majority of the members in the planning and implementation activities. Members' interest can be heightened by conducting meeting more regularly. The number of members attending the meetings can be increased by proper scheduling, i.e., meetings can be held in weekends when majority of the members are available. If there are internal problems within POs, these should addressed immediately so as not to negatively affect the interest of members who are actively involved. 2) The College of Forestry should focus on strengthening the PO's management functions in terms of plowing, organizing, directing and controlling to enable them carry out their plans and programs successfully. 3) To sustain the POs' finances,they should be able to invest their funds so that they can realize some earnings. The POs' should be provided with the knowledge on project proposal preparation so that they can generate funds to implement projects within the MFR. 4) These developmental functions have to be enhanced through education and training to be conducted by the community development workers from the College of Forestry and NGOs. 5) The University through the College of Forestry should review the development programs being implemented in the MFR to include scholarship program for qualified children and employment opportunities.6) The negative attitude towards the rules and regulations in the management of the MFR can be erased if the PO members have a clear understanding of these rules and regulations. Hence, seminars in which the policies will be explained should be conducted in the communities. The POs should also provided with copies of the rules and regulations in Filipino which they can keep for ready reference in solving some policy issues.