The Baco Forest Restoration Project: A Model of Indigenous-Led Conservation
The Baco Forest Restoration Project, a collaborative initiative with the Alangan Mangyan communities of Sitio Bituin and Sitio Sinunog in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, exemplifies a powerful model of Indigenous-led conservation.
Driven by the Alangan Mangyans’ request through the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) within their ancestral domain (CADC 124), this project, implemented by CCIPH, prioritizes the restoration of degraded habitats, enhancement of biodiversity, and strengthening of community resilience. Recognizing the Alangan Mangyans’ deep connection to their ancestral lands and their invaluable traditional ecological knowledge, the project ensures their active participation in all phases of sustainable land management. This partnership is the foundation for long-term environmental sustainability.
While the High Conservation Value Area (HCVA) assessment covers 688.9 hectares, initial restoration efforts focus on approximately 60 hectares, with planned expansion of 10-12 hectares. These areas, divided into eight planting parcels owned by the Alangan Mangyan partners, utilize diverse restoration strategies: Assisted Natural Regeneration with Enrichment Planting, Miyawaki Forest, Analog Forestry, and the Framework Species Method. Outplanting is underway, with completion targeted for this year.
A community-designed nursery, constructed using locally sourced bamboo and “inggiw,” is a central component of the project. Built by the Alangan Mangyan community, it currently houses over 7,000 native seedlings — a variety of different successional tree species — including Pometia pinnata (Malugay), Dracontomelon dao (Dao), and Diospyros blancoi (Kamagong), primarily wildlings collected from adjacent forests. Plans are in place for Bureau of Plant Industry certification.
The Baco Forest Restoration Project directly involves 31 Indigenous Peoples, including 29 landowners and two nursery managers. A comprehensive 10-year restoration program will enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem services, and build community resilience. Lastly, capacity-building workshops are envisioned to empower the IPs to implement effective monitoring strategies themselves.
The project’s conservation efforts have been duly recognized and were visited as a model site for nursery development by the Ayala Corporation and the NCIP. Maintaining strong communication and open dialogue with the Alangan Mangyan partners is a priority, ensuring continued and effective community engagement throughout the project’s duration.