TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato (May 16, 2025) – In a bid to strengthen community-based forest management and promote sustainable livelihoods, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of General Santos City conducted a two-day capacity development training for officers of the Danlag Tribal Farmers Agriculture Cooperative.
Held on May 14–15 in Barangay Danlag, Tampakan, the training is part of CENRO GenSan’s continuing efforts to empower people’s organizations (POs), especially those involved in natural resource management initiatives within ancestral domains.
The activity is aligned with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) mandate to support POs through capacity-building programs under the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) strategy. The CBFM approach seeks to develop community resilience and environmental stewardship while fostering economic growth through sustainable practices.
The training covered critical topics such as organizational development, financial management, PO registration processes, and livelihood enterprise development. Delivered through lectures and interactive workshops, the sessions equipped participants with essential skills to strengthen cooperative governance, comply with regulatory requirements, manage cooperative finances, and identify sustainable income-generating opportunities.
Ms. Ma. Febe L. Labrilla-Ferolino, a training consultant, facilitated the sessions, with support from personnel of CENRO GenSan’s Conservation and Development Section.
“We aim to build the capacity of grassroots organizations like the Danlag Tribal Farmers Agriculture Cooperative so they can manage resources more sustainably and improve their economic conditions,” said a representative from CENRO GenSan.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples and local communities in fostering inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sound development across the region.