Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – Forest Foundation Philippines gathered current grantees and their implementing partners for its Annual Palawan Partners Meeting, a vital platform to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing for sustainable forest management.
The event brought together representatives from 16 people’s organizations (POs), 10 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), two academic institutions, one environmental communications agency, government agencies, and a local government unit. Participants assessed progress on the Forest Foundation Results Framework, discussed challenges and opportunities, and shared lessons to enhance project implementation.
The meeting was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including POs such as: Burirao Pala’wan Tribal Association, Binduyan Community Tourism Association, Cabayugan Farmers Association, Caruray Marketing Agricultural Association, Coron Watershed Beneficiaries Association-Agroforestry Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Dita Watershed Management Committee, Green Livelihoods Alliance Youth, IPS-Isugod/Samahan ng Mangunguma Du’t Isugod, Nagkakaisang Tribu ng Tina, New Busuanga DENRO, Pasadena Watershed Management Committee, Sabang Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour Guide Association, Sabang Sea Ferry Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Samahan ng Katutubong Palawan sa Lupaing Ninuno ng Domadoway, Samahan ng Tagbanuang Tandulanen sa Itaytay Port Barton, and Shalom Women’s Biodiversity Conservation Association.
NGOs also participated in the meeting, including Calamianes Resilience Network, Center for Conservation Innovation Philippines, El Nido Foundation, Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Institute for the Development of Educational and Ecological Alternatives, Inc., Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme Philippines, Palawan Biodiversity Conservation Advocates, Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology, RTI International, and Zoological Society of London Philippines. Also present were Benjamin Gonzales Environmental Research and Management Consultancy and Life College from the academe, Ekomunikatib, environmental communications agency, as well as representatives from government agencies, such as Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape Protected Area – Protected Area Management Office, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, DENR El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area – Protected Area Management Office, DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office, and the City Government of Puerto Princesa.
