Integrated park restoration, protection and conservation of Mt. Palay-Palay, Mataas na Gulod Protected Landscape, Southern Luzon, Philippines

Mts. Palay-palay/Mataas-na-Gulod Protected Landscape was considered as the last frontier of Cavite province [Philippines]. The park covers three peaks, namely Pico de Loro, Mt. Palaypalay and Mt. Mataas na Gulod. Within the area, qualified Tenured Migrants were distributed specifically in the designated multiple use zones of the protected landscape covered by the Protected Area Community-based Resource Management Agreement issued by the government in 2002. The 2013 Management Effectiveness and Capacity Assessment (MECA) result conducted for the protected areas (PA) highlighted adverse claims and land disputes as the major threats in the area that resulted to biodiversity and forest degradation. This project in totality would like to focus in reducing adverse claims and encroachment/land disputes and more importantly forest cover quality degradation as these are the underlying causes of biodiversity loss in Protected Landscape (PL). In its recent findings, a vast area of the PL has been identified for rehabilitation because of the impact of the treats. Specifically, this project can improve and update baseline and protected area management plan. Such contribution may lead to (1) enhanced governance structures, plans and programs for effective management of the protected landscape; (2) resiliency thru full and effective participation of key holders at all levels in biodiversity conservation and protected landscape preservation by developing an improved attitude and perception towards protected area conservation and protection; and (3) increase in the number of collaborators that would realize the plans and programs for the PL by enforcing |Biodiversity regulations by Local Government Units and Protected Area Management Board and strengthening partnership commitment in sustaining initiatives. In addition, the project in parallel to efficient implementation can incorporate mechanisms to ensure that every activity within area is properly documented and reported. By large, the project's outcomes and lessons that were generated can be used as guides in formulating and planning forest management strategies for the sustainability of the PL.