Adoption of Baselining/Benchmarking Protocol for the National Greening Program (NGP) and Mainstreaming it in Other Relevant Programs/Projects of the DENR

November 13, 2014

DENR MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 006-14

 

Pursuant to the relevant provisions of Executive Order (EO) No. 26, Series of 2011, otherwise known as the "National Greening Program" the field guide on establishing baseline/benchmark for the National Greening Program (NGP) is hereby adopted as part of the NGP implementation and mainstreaming it in other relevant programs/projects of the DENR.

SECTION 1. Rationale. — The NGP is a nationwide government environment program for a period of six (6) years from 2011 to 2016, with multiple objectives to contribute to poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, environmental rehabilitation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Having various objectives, the NGP needs baseline information on which its impacts at the end of 2016 and beyond can be reckoned from and assessed. Hence, baselining/benchmarking activity is necessary to assess the existing condition prior to NGP intervention/implementation.

SECTION 2. Objectives. — This Circular aims to:

2.1 Strengthen the implementation of the NGP and ensure that the various impacts of the NGP and other similar programs/projects of the department are adequately measured and quantified using a science-based approach;

2.2 Institute and operationalize baselining/benchmarking protocol as part of program/project implementation not only for the NGP but also in other similar activities where the impacts and outcomes shall be quantified; and aTEACS

2.3 Ensure that the outcome of baselining/benchmarking for the NGP and other relevant programs/projects of the department shall be properly disseminated and used for planning and decision-making.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Circular the following terms are defined as:

3.1 Baselining — the process by which the quality and cost effectiveness of a service is assessed, usually in advance of a change to the service. It usually includes comparison of the service before and after any change has been observed.

3.2 Benchmarking — the process of establishing a point of reference by which something can be measured. To determine the NGP impact, the data from benchmarking will be compared with the data gathered at the end of the NGP implementation using appropriate scientific analysis.

 For the purpose of this Circular the terms Baselining and benchmarking are used interchangeably

3.3 DENR Field Offices — the offices of the Regional Directors, PENROs and CENROs.

3.4 Department — the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

3.5 Impact — the long-term effects of the NGP and other similar projects either positive or negative to the environment and to the people who are affected after a certain period of time has elapsed from the NGP implementation.

3.6 Mainstreaming — the introduction or inclusion of a new procedure in an existing program like the NGP to make it more relevant, effective and efficient.

3.7 Relevant Programs/Projects — are programs/projects whose implementations are expected to produce a potential impact on the environment and natural resources therein, such as terrestrial and marine ecosystems, among others, including the human communities thereof. cHAaCE

SECTION 4. Baselining/Benchmarking Protocol. — Baselining/benchmarking shall have the following interrelated components:

4.1. Biological Component — provides the scientific assessment of the composition/configuration/landscape of the NGP site prior to the introduction of tree planting activities in terms of its biological diversity using indices of diversity, evenness, dominance and community coefficient. Procedures are explained in the accompanying Guide.

4.2. Physical Component — focuses on using the physical features, such as soil cover, geology, contours, elevations and land use, among others, in assessing the stability, nutrient cycling, and hydrological function/status of the landscape where NGP activities will be implemented. The procedures are explained in the Guide.

4.3. Socio-economic Component — assesses the existing socio-economic conditions of the target NGP beneficiaries prior to the implementation of the program to include the social conditions, economic characteristics, and awareness of the NGP as a national program of the government. Detailed procedures are explained in the Guide.

4.4. Spatial Component — describes the procedures for making Geographic Information System (GIS)-based maps and other spatial information necessary to support baselining/benchmarking activity for the NGP site. It will produce maps and generate spatial information needed in the characterization of biological, physical and socio-economic conditions of an NGP site where the planting activity will take place. Procedures are explained in the Guide.

SECTION 5. Mechanism on Adoption and Mainstreaming. — The concerned DENR Bureaus and Offices shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

5.1 The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) shall:

a. Provide to concerned units of DENR the Manual/Field Guide on Establishing Benchmark for the NGP;

b. Monitor the field implementation of the baselining/benchmarking if the elements of the different components are properly identified in the gathering of data, evaluation and analysis of the impact of the NGP and other relevant projects of the DENR;

c. Provide capability building and technical assistance to Field Office implementers in the conduct of baselining/benchmarking;

d. In coordination with the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) and DENR Field Offices, monitor the progress of baselining/benchmarking of NGP and other relevant projects and recommend appropriate courses of action; and ITaESD

e. Be responsible for keeping baselining/benchmarking data from all NGP piloted sites which shall form part of ERDB database with complete set of analyzed field data. The FMB and other concerned Field Offices may be furnished copy of the baselining/benchmarking report upon request.

5.2 The DENR Field Offices shall:

a. Create team(s) for baselining/benchmarking involving qualified personnel from the Regional Office, PENROs and CENROs;

b. Organize and conduct pre-implementation and leveling-off activities cum capability-building workshops with assistance from the ERDB;

c. Identify priority sites for NGP baselining/benchmarking and provide the ERDB, for monitoring purposes, a copy of the benchmarking report;

d. Conduct the baselining benchmarking strategy as described in the manual developed by the ERDB;

e. If necessary, seek the assistance of the ERDB in the conduct of baselining/benchmarking activities; and

f. Submit the baselining/benchmarking report to the respective Regional Directors/PENROs/CENROs copy furnished the FMB and the ERDB. An appropriate seminar or forum may be held where the said report will be presented for discussion and information of the concerned stakeholders. IECAaD

SECTION 6. Effectivity. —

This Circular shall take effect immediately.

(SGD.) RAMON J. P. PAJESecretary