Payment for Ecological Services (PES) Forum

In culmination of the Enhancement of Community Capacity for Sustainable Ecological Protection and Economic Development (EcoSEED) project of Xavier Science Foundation, Inc. (XSF) funded by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), a forum called Payment for Ecosystem Services: Opportunities in Protecting Biodiversity in Mt. Kalatungan Range was held at De Luxe Hotel last July 29, 2016.

The forum was organized in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology- Region 10 (DOST-10) as part of their National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration

Various stakeholders from the government sector, business sector, academe and the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) like Miarayon-Lapok-Lirongan-Tinaytayan-Tribal-Association (MILALITTRA) – the identified seller of PES, the Portulin Talaandig Tribal Association (PTTA), and the Mat-I, Manibay, Civoleg and Langguyod – Apo Ginopakan Higaonon Tribal Council ( MAMACILA) were among those who attended. His Excellency, Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ DD and PTFCF Senior Program Officer, Forester Eric Buduan also graced the occasion.

For the past two years, PES has gained ground as a financing mechanism to promote environmental conservation in the Mount Kalatungan Range. In order for the PES project to be sustainable, there is a need to strengthen the engagement of various sectors involved in its mechanism.

The forum’s aim was to present the efforts and initiatives done in Mt. Kalatungan Range and to foster opportunities of collaboration among key stakeholders.