Effectiveness of Community-based Forest Management Program as a Strategy on Forest Restoration in Cienda and San-Vicente, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines

This research was conducted in Cienda, Gabas and San Vicente, Kilim, Baybay City, Leyte. This study draws on the effectiveness of the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) program on the aforementioned communities through Cienda-San Vicente Farmers Association (CSVFA) as the CBFM holder. The assessment was based on the CBFM program’s main principle, “people first and sustainable forestry will follow”. Moreover, an interview schedule was used in collecting primary data. During the survey, the sampling method used was the combination of Slovin’s formula and Finite Population Correction (FPC), wherein 41 respondents were interviewed from the CSVFA members and 50 respondents from the non-members.

All the data were encoded and results were analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Studies (SPSS). Moreover, independent samples t-test was used to compare the means of the two variables. However, other results of the data were simplified in a descriptive statistical analysis such as those data with no significant relationship between the two variables.

Generally, it was noted that the effectiveness of the CBFM in the two communities was affected by various pillars which include the a) CSVFA and its b) tenurial instrument which is the CBFM agreement as the foundation of the program; c) innovation of natural resources and income-generating activities which serves as its wealth; and lastly, the d) governance which is responsible for the distribution of responsibilities and decision-making process.