Participation of major stakeholders in the conservation of the Makiling Forest Reserve [Philippines]

As identified by the respondents, there are 12 types of stakes in the MFR [Makiling Forest Reserve]: aesthetic, agricultural crops, amenities, employment, good environment, forest plant products, protection, recreation, research laboratory, settlement, training laboratory, and water. The stakeholders were found to vary in terms of their stakes and to have 2 to 3 types of stakes each. It also came out that the most common stake to majority of the MFR's stakeholders is water. The following were identified as major MFR stakeholders: resident MFR farmers, leaseholders, government organizations (including UPLB), local government units (municipal and barangay), people (farmer) organizations, private/non-government organizations, schools, and student organizations. A great majority of the major stakeholders are participating in the implementation of programs/activities related to the MFR's conservation. Some UPLB employees and key informants (KIs) among the respondent institutions are involved in extension and research activities while only few UPLB employees are involved to a limited extent in the planning/decision-making process of the MFR programs/activities. The resident MFR farmers have a high degree of satisfaction (DES) in attaining their stakes but have a moderate extent of actual participation (EAP) in the MFR's conservation. The KIs and the UPLB employees have high DES in attaining their stakes as well as their EAP in the MFR's conservation. The two variables, DES and EAP, are significantly associated for UPLB employees but not for resident MFR farmers and KIs in attaining UPLB's goal in the MFR. Suggested interventions to enhance participation in the conservation of the MFR received varied reactions and preferences. The resident MFR farmers prefer "taxation/rental system". The KIs prefer creation of a multisectoral body for the MFR, and the UPLB employees prefer strengthening of UPLB's administrative capability