The Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) being declared as the 33rd AHP in the ASEAN Region and 6th AHP in the Philippines should be monitored and evaluated based on the effectiveness of its management .
On 12 November 2019, the technical staff of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) assessed the MMFR AHP using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) provided by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). This was held at the Molave Room, Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES), College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB).
Dr. Rogelio T. Andrada II, Deputy Director of the MCME and Head of the Botanic Gardens, Park and Ecotourism Division (BGPED) provided a short discussion on how to use the METT and its importance. Dr. Andrada also presented the initial result of the assessment during the afternoon session. Dr. Roberto G. Visco, Director of MCME concluded the workshop.
A total of sixteen (16) technical staff assessed the MMFR using the METT. The result will be further evaluated and summarized and will be submitted to BMB for their reference. The Center agreed to do METT every three (3) years.
Present during the workshop were Foresters Leilani A. Castillo, Nicasio M. Balahadia, Joselito R. Barile, Rolly V. Breva, Valeriana D. Barredo-Parducho, Aldin C. Alegre, Leonardo D. Barua, Myranel S. Canceran, Mae Belen L. Putian, Ms. Lolita C. Aquino, Ms. Gillian Katherine L. Inciong-Quilloy, Ms. Ofelia Manasan, and Ms. Emelita D. Federico.
By: For. Mae Belen L. Putian
Photos credit to: Foresters Mae Belen L. Putian and Angela A. Lmpiada