Neil Aldrin Mallari

Strengthening Protected Area Management System to Respond to Conservation Needs of Globally Threatened Species in Palawan, Philippines

The project is located in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) on Palawan Island, Philippines. PPSRNP is a globally important site because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an Important Bird Area (IBA) (a national priority site).

The activities planned are aimed at building the capacities of the Protected Area (PA) and PA staff to ensure long-term conservation success. These will include workshops with the technical working group of Park management to mainstream the conservation requirements of threatened species in the management plan; have series of consultations and stakeholder workshop to directly to address potential sources of conflict with community livelihoods and management zoning; and revision/refinement of the draft management plan to incorporate the recommendations from local stakeholders and include management practices designed to meet the conservation targets and consider human needs in the Park.

This management plan - articulating core management strategies that are hinged on clearly defined and measurable conservation outcomes/targets - and the process of consultation will serve as a model for other incipient PAs within the region. The inputs of the project presents a opportunity to influence not only PPSRNP but also other PAs across the Palawan biodiversity corridor. This will ensure long-term and far-reaching benefits of the project and conservation in the Philippines.

For more information contact amallari@philbiodiversity.org