Xavier Science Foundation Inc., through its Enhancement of Community’s Capacity for Sustainable Ecological Protection and Economic Development (EcoSEED-2) project gathered the various stakeholders from CSOs/NGOs, Government Agencies, Indigenous Peoples Organizations and Local Government Units in a forum titled Mt. Kalatungan Landscape Stakeholders Dialogue: Governance and Collaboration on November 20, 2018 at Hotel De Susana Resorts in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
The tribal chieftains entertain questions from the stakeholders after they have presented their forest management plans
Mt. Kalatungan as a Key Biodiversity Area is a venue where multi-stakeholders converge and the said forum initiated was a platform to discuss further areas of collaboration among stakeholders and strengthen governance systems within the landscape. The theme, governance and collaboration, follows the Landscape Governance Framework wherein identified key stakeholders within a particular landscape are significantly connected and are responsible to connect with one another in order to fully govern and equally sustain the resources within a landscape.
A representative from the NAMAMAYUK IPO suggests more inclusion on eco-tourism activities
The forum highlighted XSF’s local partners, seven (7) Indigenous Peoples Organizations, in presenting their respective forest management plans and organizational management systems. This intensified the coordination and synergy among stakeholders by appreciating the common practices and traditions that allows them to better manage their forest resource as well as value the innovations that each stakeholder have in approaching the sustainability plans of the landscape.
The EcoSEED-2 project is supported by the Forest Foundation Philippines, who also works with other CSOs/NGOs implementing projects within the Mt. Kalatungan landscape.
XSF Executive Director Roel Ravanera Commitment, Collaboration and Connection
XSF’s Executive Director Roel R Ravanera emphasized Commitment, Collaboration and Connection or 3Cs where all stakeholders within the landscape of Mt. Kalatungan need to support in order to protect our environment and its natural resources.