The DBP-Forest Program is a long-term project in line with the bank’s vision of developing downstream industries in the rural areas.  The program supports and encourages the forestation of open areas in public lands by planting high-value trees, and rehabilitation of coastal areas by cultivating mangroves and sea grasses.

The DBP-Forest Program has been on-going in 22 sites all over the Philippines.  It is being implemented in collaboration with the local government units, non-government organizations, academic institutions, and people’s organizations.  DBP deems it is hightime to assess the progress of these projects to be able to come up with corrective measures that will improve the overall project implementation, and at the same time, ensure relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of these projects.  

On July 21, 2008, DBP and PAFERN signed a Memorandum of Agreement to carry out the assessment within a 15-month period.  This collaboration is based on the proposal submiited by PARERN and the University of the Philippines Los Banos-Institute of Agroforestry to DBP last January 2008 entitled “Participatory Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (PAME) of DBP-Forest Projects.”

PAFERN will involve at least nine (9) of its member institutions to accomplish the following objectives of the project: a) determine the current state of project implementation relative to its project goals, objectives and targets; b) analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the overall project implementation; c) measure the economic, social and environmental impacts of the projects to various stakeholders; d) develop a framework and manual for participatory monitoring and evaluation of DBP-Forest Projects; e) provide a venue for enhancing technical capabilities and developing partnerships among the local development organizations; and f) recommend specific measures on how to improve and sustain project implementation.

PAFERN believes that this project will not only harness the potentials and capabilities of its member-institutions, but will also enhance collaboration and partnership with DBP and its partner-institutions.

Leila D. Landicho
University Research Associate
Education Development Coordination Division-Institute of Agroforestry
University of the Philippines Los Banos
College, Laguna 4031
Email: leila_landicho@yahoo.com; ldlandicho@gmail.com