This project is funded by the European Union

Mt. Hilong-HilongCaraga, Philippines

Mt. Hilong-hilong photo © 2018 Haribon Foundation

Country: Philippines.Site Name: Mt. Hilong-Hilong, Caraga.Location: Mt. Hilong-Hilong Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) (code PH083) is located in northeast Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean and lies within the political boundaries of the provinces of Agusan Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur in the Caraga Region. In particular, it is bounded by Surigao del Norte on the north, Pacific Ocean on the east, Butuan Bay on the west, and Agusan del Sur on the south. Lanuza, Surigao del Sur covers about 317.41 square kilometers of the whole KBA area of 2,432.23 square kilometers with the highest elevation at 2,012 meters above sea level. Its peak is located in Brgy. Mahaba, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte. Other mountain peaks in Mt. Hilong-Hilong are Mt. Mabaho in Santiago and Mt. Kabatuan in Kitcharao. The Range covers 20 municipalities in four provinces of the Caraga Region.

Contents

• Country• Site Name

• Location• Site Area

• Biodiversity• Conservation Approaches

• About FOGOP

Forest Governance

Project

Strengthening Non-state Actor Involvement in Forest Governance in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and

Papua New Guinea.

Site Profile

Site Profile Mt. Hilong-Hilong

Site Area: The forest cover of Mt. Hilong-Hilong range is approximately 8,000 sq. kms., containing one of the few remaining old growth or primary forests in the country with endemic flora and fauna species. Mt. Hilong-Hilong KBA belongs to the so-called timber and mineral corridor of Mindanao as a repository of the largest ore deposits and tree plantation areas in the

country. A total of 6,845.03 sq. kms. has been declared as the Caraga Forest Plantation Corridor. There are also at least 52 mining companies around Mt. Hilong-Hilong that are either in application or in exploration stages. Mt. Hilong-Hilong’s mineral resources contribute at least 60% to the total mineral commodities production

of the region. In fact, the Philippine Yearbook (2003) indicates that the region was the second highest producer of metallic mineral valued at PhP 1.25 billion in 2001.

Biodiversity: • Contains one of the few remaining primary forests

in the country.• Believed to be a Philippine eagle nesting site.• Nearly half of the species of forest vertebrates can

only be found in the country.• Home to 120 different birds species, 59 are endemic• Sanctuary of endemic frogs, reptiles, mammals

and threatened flora.• Thick with vegetation, high plant diversity and

considered a critical watershed.• Known for its waterfalls and lakes.• Agusan River provides the potable and irrigation

water needs of the Caraga region.

The Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is found in Mt. Hilong-hiong. Photo by Wiki user Plerzelwupp

CC BY-SA 3.0.

Site Profile Mt. Hilong-Hilong

Conservation approaches: Local governments in this KBA have been implementing conservation programs aimed at protecting threatened and endangered species such as Pawikan Conservation, Dugong Conservation Project, and the Philippine Raptors Conservation Project. The protection and biodiversity conservation in Mt. Hilong- Hilong is being seriously pursued by the civil society groups in cooperation with the local government units (LGUs), government agencies, and other sectors with the participation of local communities. Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. had also implemented the European Union-funded project known as the Governance and Local Development of Endangered Forests (GOLDEN Forests) in Mt. Hilong-Hilong and Mt. Diwata Range KBAs (2005-2011). The project aimed to protect the remaining old growth forests in the country through the reduction of deforestation rates. It promoted sound sustainable forest management (SFM) practices with forest dependent families, encouraged local governance of forests through the creation of local conservation plans, provided forest-friendly livelihoods to marginalized forest-dependent families such as agro-forestry and organic soap-making, and advocated for national and local policies supportive of forest conservation.

Haribon also implemented the ROAD to 2020 program (now Forests For Life), a campaign to restore 1 million hectares of forest throughout the country. This forest restoration project was introduced by Haribon using the rainforestation technique to several community-based organizations and indigenous peoples organizations within the forests of Mt. Hilong-Hilong and Mt. Diwata Range KBAs. Beneficiaries were provided with trainings on rainforestation enabling them to establish their own nurseries and to ensure the survival of planted seedlings. Livelihood projects were also introduced to the indigenous peoples groups and other forest-dependent communities.

Threats

Rapid population growth in the uplands.

Irresponsible mining.

Illegal logging (the region is classified as a hotspot).

Road expansion and development.

Wildlife hunting and collection for food and trade.

Agricultural expansion.

The majestic Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) lives among the 345,226 hectares forestland on Mt. Hilong-Hilong. Photo by J Kahlil

Panopio / Haribon Foundation.

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Site Profile Mt. Hilong-Hilong

Forest Governance Project:

Philippine forests are home to some of the world’s unique and threatened species. It also provides indispensable ecological services for millions of Filipinos. As forests continue to disappear, the Strengthening Non-State Actor Involvement in Forest Governance in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea or the Forest Governance Project (FoGoP) aims to increase participation of non-state actors in various forest governance processes. Effective forest conservation is possible with strengthened governance mechanisms. Local communities must also be empowered with technical knowledge, platforms, and skills to establish forest monitoring programs to effectively contribute to forest management and land use planning processes.

Through the establishment and strengthening of community networks and between cross-national networks, the Forest Governance Project or FoGoP aims to enhance information sharing and empower non-state actors in advocacies concerning forest conservation. The project is being implemented over a 5-year period (2017-2021), with focus on capacity building for effective engagement in forest management and policy processes. It will also complement existing forest conservation initiatives. Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. is currently implementing this project in three sites in the Philippines. Mt. Hilong-Hilong is one of the sites.

References: PASA: Expansion of Mt. Hilong-Hilong Range Protected Landscape, 2006. Brief Profile: Mt. Hilong-Hilong Range, n.d. Golden Forest Project Report November 2011. Ibanez, Jayson. (2015). The Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor Conservation Framework.

Above: A resident on Mt. Hilong-Hilong delivering dried abaca via motorcycle. Photo by

Kathleen Zambas / Haribon Foundation.

Left: A community member shares inputs from her group involving issues affecting forest in

their neighborhoods. Photo by Albert Balbutin / Haribon Foundation.