Human well-being and environmental protection in the Eastern Mindanao [Philippines] biodiversity corridor

The socioeconomic assessment of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) is based on the link between human well-being and biodiversity conservation. Natural resources provide goods and services that support the needs of the population making them especially important for poorest members of the society. Therefore, conservation measures must relate to the poor's needs. The assessment was commissioned to form an integral part of a threat assessment in the corridor. Roxas et al. (MSU) implemented the study to provide inputs for the EMBC Strategic Planning and Policy Team in charting directions for the corridor's environmental protection and management. With the study focused on the human context of EMBC, specific objectives were to: 1) describe the state of human well-being and how it relates to the use of environmental resources, particularly forests; and 2) examine facilitating factors for the improvement of human well-being and environmental protection and management. Findings of the study revealed the following: Results showed a low level of human and financial capital and poor access to basic social services and infrastructure. This confirmed an impoverished state in the corridor. Factors that facilitated improvement in human well-being and environmental protection were identified, although such factors were limited. Those included linkages with NGOs [Non-Government Organizations] and programs advocating sustainable development, habitat rehabilitation and protection measures, and co-management of resources with indigenous people. To address human well-being and environmental protection issues, the project recommended the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples and traditional settlers. This is by granting them benefits and incentives for protecting the environment such as tenurial security, stewardship contracts, or other forms of renumeration, such as share from payments for environmental services. It will also be necessary to enhance human capital in the corridor and improve access to physical and financial assets