Philippine Mountains Summit

"Philippine Mountains SUMMIT: A National Policy Forum on Philippine Mountain Environments" held at Mt Makiling at the University of the Philippines Los Baños last 16-17 November 2000 was a resounding success for mountaineering in getting representation from this policy formulating body and in recognizing the value of mountaineering in our common ground, the mountains in the Philippines. The forum organized by the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) headed by Dr. EdwinoFernando aims to develop policy initiatives for the conservation and sustainable development of mountain environments in the Philippines.

The Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Inc, (MFPI) a national affiliation of mountaineers under the leadership of President Ari Ben Sebastian presented a position to the participants composed mainly of scientists, government officials on what it can to this scientific community:

• That not all climbers are mountaineers
• That this recognized body be allowed to climb
• That we have a responsibility to all those who climb
• That their researches will support our recreational undertaking
• That we can be tapped for environment related projects in this fragile/diverse mountain eco-system
• That we can partner with them in managing our common playground: the mountains

Foresters, local government units, geologists, DENR, Philvocs, Tourism, mountaineers, PAMB, Bureau of Soils were represented.

Through the MFPI paper on mountaineering as a recreation, other participants sought the possibility of a collaborative drive between technocrats and hobbyists one of which is study on carrying capacities of mountain. Some foresters, geologists, professors expressed interest to enroll in the BMC and to be members.

The MFPI position on vision mission was not any different from the collective position of the conference output, in fact complementary in the aspect of ecological preservation. Our friends from the academe recognize all the time the value of carrying capacity in any undertaking in the mountains, putting importance to the local community. This is almost aligned with the MFPI Vision Mission.

This forum is a potential linkage for advocacy and policy influencing to the DENR and to the government.

MFPI has established contacts with various foresters, tourism body and of course PAMB. As we move towards 2002 on the International Year of the Mountains, it will work closely with MCME in initiating a massive, year round mountain clean, if only to impress consciousness to everyone.

Director Raymundo Punongbayan of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in his astounding presentation made us appreciate the geological source of mountains in the Philippines. But eventually, they will disappear (in million to billion years that is).

For the next forum in Baguio last quarter of the year, MFPI has been requested to present.

Chito Razon, PAL MC 18 November 2000

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Mountaineers in the forum were Butch Sebastian, MPFI, Joy Galvez of UPM and the ADMU Manila Observatory, Caloy and Karen of White Mountains. Chito Razon of PALMC presented the paper.

To: mfpi@egroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 06, 2000 7:48 PM

Subject: [MPFI] Philippine Mountains SUMMIT

"Philippine Mountains SUMMIT:

A National Policy Forum on Philippine Mountain Environments"

Mt Makiling The University of the Philippines - Los Baños

16-17 November 2000

Contact:

Dr Edwino S. Fernando

Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems

College of Forestry and Natural Resources

The University of the Philippines - Los Baños

College, 4031 Laguna

The Philippines

Tel/Fax: +63 49 536 3572

Web: http://www.mountainet.ph

In preparation for celebration of 2002 as International Year of Mountains

Objective

The national forum aims to develop policy initiatives for the conservation and sustainable development of mountain environments in the Philippines.

Specifically, the forum seeks to:
1. Highlight policy issues, problems, gaps and needs in relation to the sustainable development of mountain environments in the Philippines;
2. Promote better and wider appreciation of the various issues related to sustainable mountain development among policy makers and mountain development practitioners; and
3. Recommend policy actions and alternatives for more responsive policies on sustainable mountain development.

Format

Speakers from the government and private sectors, as well as, from the academe, research institutions, and NGOs have been invited to make presentations. Workshops will be conducted to deliberate on specific issues and concerns.

Participants

Participants will be invited from various institutions with mountain development programs and projects, including, among others government departments, state colleges and universities, non-government organizations, representatives of Congress, and the private sector who are active in mountain research and development.

Schedule

15th November (Wednesday)

Afternoon - Arrival & Check-in at TREES Hostel

16th November (Thursday)

Morning - Opening Ceremony & Paper Presentation: Session 1

Afternoon - Paper Presentation: Session 2 & Workshop 1

Evening - Welcome Dinner & Cocktails

17th November (Friday)

Morning - Workshop 2 & Plenary Session

Afternoon - Synthesis & Closing Ceremony

Venue

The forum will take place at the TREES Narra Hall in the campus of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, the University of the Philippines - Los Baños.  The college is nestled on the northeastern slopes of Mt Makiling on Luzon Island.

Organizers

The Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) and the Forestry Development Center (FDC) are units under the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of the Philippines - Los Baños. MCME's mission is to advance knowledge and promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical mountain ecosystems. FDC undertakes policy studies on forests and natural resources.