Fund for park project stopped DENR boss denies claim fund misuse
By KIT BAGAIPO

The New Zealand government has cut-off its counterpart fund releases for one of Bohol's major eco-tourism projects, the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL), after it found "questionable use of funds and implementation methods" by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Soil and Water Conservation Foundation, Inc. (SWCF) executive director William Granert disclosed to the Chronicle that the counterpart funding from New Zealand was part of a P10-million grant for the bio-diversity conservation and poverty reduction of the Rajah Sikatuna National Park which covers 29 barangays.

SWCF is one of the project implementers of RSPL together with the DENR and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) which comprises the local government units in the conservation area.

Granert has filed a complaint at the Protected Area and Wildlife Division (PAWD) of the DENR regarding the mismanagement of the RSPL, specifically Leonardo Elle, the protected area's superintendent.

On the second year, P1.7 million was released by the NZ Aid. More funds could have been released but was aborted by NZAid after it learned that the project's bio-diversity protection and livelihood components were not carried out by the implementers.

Some P7 million was due to be released by NZAid that was cut-off due to mismanagement, Granert claimed.

"The first year of the project was almost a complete waste of time and funds," according to Granert.

While little was accomplished from the funding grant, the SWCF head said, "the project appears to be an employment agency for people from Manila… who have littleknowledge of the local situation."

Granert also noted that local information about the protected area was ignored and there was "no interest" on the part of the DENR in Manila who were handling the funds released by NZAid to involve the local community.

"[The] DENR, by its own actions, does not believe in community-based project implementation," he said, "they seem to be interested in control, especially the funds of the project."

In fact, according to Granert, Gil Madroñero, the former head of the project management team who was involved in the conceptualization of the RSPL was removed and replaced by Elle "without due process."

Under the new superintendent, things started to deteriorate for the project, Granert said.

Granert has recommended to the NZAid that a "detailed accounting" be made for the funds and the activities undertaken and who is accountable for its implementation.

The SWCF likewise demanded for the replacement of the park superintendent and "held accountable for his actions" in association with former Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Officer Arius Ilano.

In his report to NZAid, Granert lobbied that the funding be taken out from DENR's control as "they have shown they cannot provide the type of transparency needed to implement the project."

A consultant of the project, who is based in Manila, is also blamed by SWCF for failing to monitor what was actually happening at the RSPL.

In fact, according to Granert, the consultant had only two visits to the project.

SWCF suggested to the New Zealand government not to channel future fund releases to the DENR. Instead, the group recommended that all site developments be contracted to private or non-government organizations.

"As an institution, they have a dismal record of handling projects," Granert said.

The entire Rajah Sikatuna landscape covers 29 barangays within the Loboc watershed and interior towns. The watershed is one of the main suppliers of water to Bohol's rivers.

Other foreign governments such as the European Union have also poured funds into the project.

Granert explained that residents around the landscape must be involved in the income-enhancement activities so they will act as the project's guardians instead of exploiters.

However, this was not achieved in the past two years under DENR management, he said.

DENR'S REPLY

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Eduardo Inting explained to the Chronicle in a separate interview yesterday that Granert caused the New Zealand Aid funding to be cut-off.

Granert, who had connections with a senior official of the New Zealand embassy, allegedly spread misinformation regarding the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape.

PENRO Inting denied Granert's NGO, SWCF, was excluded in the management board of the project.

In fact, the management board of RSPL is still composed of barangay captains, mayors and SCWF, according to Inting. DENR heads the board, which is a collegial body, he said.

However, Granert and his group allegedly "want to control the project," when in fact, they are only an assisting NGO" and "not a signatory of the memorandum of agreement with NZAid," Inting stressed.

In June 2006, NZAid was supposed to release the second tranche of the RSPL assistance fund amounting to P1.8 million.

This was withheld until December 2006, Inting said, due to Granert's complaint.
Instead of the P1.8 million, only P700,000 was released, the PENRO said.

Inting likewise blamed Granert's group for constructing a swimming pool in the conservation area which could not be utilized due to insufficient water supply.

BACKGROUND

The Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL) was previously known as the Rajah Sikatuna National Park but was renamed by the DENR, alternate manager of the park for 2004-2007. Prior to that it was the Department of

Tourism that chaired the protected area. Today it looks a like a deserted camp site.

But according to William Granert of the SWCF, Bohol is literally sitting on a treasure of biodiversity reserve inside the park.

For starters, there are verified 16 species of Dipterocarps or 30% of the 45 known species in the Philippines located there -

four of which are considered to be critically endangered by the DENR. They all provide both economic and environmental value to the country.

The 17th species Apitong was discovered in Danao and seeds for the 18th species whose mother tree still has to be located. It is important that the forest areas be conserved and expanded, according to SWCF.

Also, 26 bat species (fruit and insect bats) are found in the reserve, representing 30% of the 73 species in the country. There are also 130 caves mapped by the SWCF inside the reserve as well as limestone formations, providing geological value to the Park.

A Fern Specialist from the National Museum collaborated with Grannert and discovered 90 new fern finds in Bohol bringing the total from 73 to 173 fern species. The forest reserve likewise generates rainfall in the Bilar area which compares favorably to that of Alicia and Ubay where most of the forests are now gone.

The development of the RSPL is anchored on three objectives: potable water source and irrigation, (2) biodiversity reserve and (3) eco-tourism. It provides a scenic view for tourists going to Carmen who can view the forest and the rice fields fronting the reserve.

Given funding, the SWCF would have proposed the development of the Bohol Environmental and Heritage Camp which would have housed 10 cottages (8 persons each) and three separate camp grounds to host 300 persons. This would be ideal for sessions on the environment, science, writing, music, drama camps. Profits from these operations would be used to fund bicycle trails, hiking areas, and swimming pools in Barangay Nan-od Sierra Bullones, Omjom, Valencia and Cambuyo, Garcia Hernandez.