Batasan, Makilala – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12 (DENR-12), through the Mt. Apo Natural Park Protected Area Management Office (MANP-PAMO) in Cotabato, conducted a community meeting with farmers cultivating anthurium and other crops in Barangay Batasan, Makilala, on February 28, 2025.
Led by the Deputy Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of MANP, the meeting gathered key stakeholders, including the MANP Focal on Legal Concerns, Mediatrix Multi-purpose Cooperative, the Local Government Unit of Barangay Batasan, the Indigenous Peoples Management Team (IPMT), and representatives of the 4Bs Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). The initiative aimed to address community concerns and promote collaboration for the preservation of MANP’s biodiversity.
A key topic of discussion was the implementation of a two-year phase-out plan, which is part of PAMO’s strategy to gradually transition crop plantations within the Strict Protection Zone (SPZ) of MANP into sustainable livelihood alternatives. The plan seeks to balance environmental conservation with the economic welfare of the local community. During the meeting, PAMO officials clarified the transition process, presented possible alternative livelihoods, and encouraged farmers to participate in the ongoing farm survey.
Recognizing the community’s initial resistance to the survey in previous attempts, PAMO emphasized its commitment to fostering transparency and mutual trust. The office reassured farmers that it would provide technical assistance and explore viable solutions that align conservation efforts with the farmers’ needs.
The engagement reflects the government’s continued efforts to uphold biodiversity protection while ensuring that affected communities receive the necessary support to adapt to sustainable agricultural practices.
