An FMP closeout event was also a way to ensure that everyone was recognized for his or her contribution to make the project a success story. Here, RED Ralph Pablo (2nd from right) of DENR Cordillera Administrative Region hands a certificate of recognition to a former FMP staff member while FMP Manager Marlon Atienza and former FASPS Assistant Director Ma. Sabrina Cruz look on.
After years of implementation, the Forestland Management Project (FMP) held a series of closeout events in the of provinces of Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, and Iloilo where the project was implemented to signal the closure of the project and the conclusion of its activities. The project was implemented by the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The events served as an avenue for showcasing project achievements, lessons learned, good practices, innovations, and success stories aside from giving recognition to the efforts and contributions of the peoples’ organizations (POs), national government agencies (NGAs) and other support institutions in implementing the project activities and in attaining its goals and objectives.
FMP rallied the commitment of support of partners toward the transition period and after the project closure to implement and sustain the development and investment it initiated. In addition, the project wanted to strengthen the POs who would now be responsible for bringing these initiatives to completion or reality. Earlier, the Forestry Investment Portal – an online platform for marketing PO products – had been launched to complement such purpose.
At the same time, local governments and national government agencies pledged to help in carrying out the sustainability plans of the project based on their mandates. This assistance could come in the form of furthering the capabilities of the POs and providing facilities and equipment for product development.
The Provincial Closeout Events ran through the months of March and April 2023 in the four regions that implemented the project. Local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS) and field offices of the DENR, and the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) took part in the activities. (FMP/ Janelle Bautista)
