Indigenous People’s Forest Restoration Program

This initiative will involve close collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to ensure sustainable land management and socio-economic development. The project focuses on creating green jobs, diversifying livelihoods through agroforestry, and providing environmental education and training opportunities. By leveraging climate finance, the project seeks to generate significant ecological and economic benefits, including improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, and increased soil and forest health.

A critical aspect of this project is the conservation of the Philippine Eagle, one of the world’s most endangered raptors and a national symbol of the Philippines. The Philippine Eagle, which requires extensive forest habitats to thrive, has seen its population dwindle due to deforestation and habitat loss. By restoring and protecting these vital forest ecosystems, the project not only helps preserve this majestic species but also underscores the importance of biodiversity for the region’s environmental health. The success of the Bukidnon Project will contribute to the survival of the Philippine Eagle, demonstrating the intrinsic link between forest conservation and wildlife protection.

The project is supported by multiple stakeholders, including the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), who will oversee its execution and ensure compliance with environmental standards. With a phased implementation plan, the project will start with pilot areas and gradually expand to cover more ancestral domains, aiming to sequester over 8 million tonnes of CO2e over 30 years.