SINP-Brgy. Tenani, Paranas, Samar--- The Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) now on its Phase II of Project SIBP Project Implementation recently conducted (April 7, 2010) its 1st Quarter Assessment and staff meeting at SINP Training Hall, at Campo Uno Brgy. Tenani, Paranas, Samar.

Having attended by 27 participants from SINP and ERDS –in Region 8 Tacloban City, the activity was started with an invocation led by For. Ernesto Duran, SINP Chief (Admin & Finance) followed with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

In his opening message, Dir. Manolito D. Ragub, SINP-PASu/PM stressed that this is a timely activity for SINP 2010 project being funded by UNDP, assessing further 1st Quarter accomplishments versus its target outputs. He also adds that this is an opportune time that issues and concerns to backlogs shall be tackled as part of lessons learnt. He also informed everybody that year 2010 is a mark –up for technical development further encouraged to have high hopes for this year adding further that modeling is a milestone for this year while adoption is another milestone.

In her presentation vis the 2010 total project cost, For. Zenaida Baisa, Planning Unit Chief reported that SIBP Phase II project has Php 18,400,000.00 counterparting of PASu (Php 12,185,000.00) and of PAWB-DENR (Php 6,215,000.00). She then proceeded with the reporting on 1st Quarter updates/status via accomplishments and Backlogs as assisted by each seven unit heads concerned as per output.

This year’s expected output of SIBP Phase II project implementation are enumerated as follows :

- SINP is established and fully buffered from the threats arising from human activities

- Clear indicators that these threats have diminished

- Residents of local communities, women included are actively participating in conservation management

- A “social fencing” framework defends the SINP against illegal encroachment and forest use by outsiders

- Incentives in the form of alternative livelihood activities that are compatible with conservation objectives provide for the basic needs of forest edge communities

- Harvests of NTFPs are contributing to the sustainable livelihoods of these communities and are controlled based on biological carrying capacities

- SINP managers possess a strong capacity to respond to the requirements of an evolving ecological and socio-economic landscape within the Park and its management

- With conservation embedded within the regional development framework, there is balance between conservation and development objectives in the whole Samar Island