The DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), through the GEF-7 Landscape Project, successfully convened the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Biodiversity-Friendly Agricultural Practices (BDFAP) Forum and Site Selection Workshop on June 9–11, 2026, in Cagayan de Oro City.

The three-day forum brought together representatives from local government units, national and regional government agencies, indigenous peoples’ organizations, civil society organizations, development partners, water resource institutions, academia, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration and identify priority interventions for the sustainable management of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

Participating institutions included the Local Government Units of Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Baungon, Libona, and Talakag; the Provincial Government of Bukidnon; the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office X (DA RFO X); the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region X (DENR Region X); the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region X (NCIP Region X); the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Region X (DHSUD Region X); the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Region X (DEPDev Region X); the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council (CDORBMC); the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB); Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs); civil society organizations; people’s organizations; academic institutions; and private sector partners.

Throughout the forum, participants discussed the current state of land degradation within the river basin and explored Sustainable Land Management and Biodiversity-Friendly Agricultural Practices, reviewed baseline information and thematic maps, and identified potential intervention sites and priority areas for project implementation.

Interactive workshops enabled stakeholders to contribute local knowledge, validate technical findings, and identify opportunities for collaborative action. Discussions also covered co-financing commitments, governance arrangements, partner roles and responsibilities, and the proposed Annual Work Plan through 2028, ensuring alignment among institutions and sectors that share responsibility for managing the landscape.

The activity concluded with a synthesis of key agreements and priority actions that will guide the implementation of the GEF-7 Landscape Project in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. The forum reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to integrated landscape management and collective action toward land degradation neutrality, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

The GEF-7 Landscape Project, titled “Securing Long-Term Sustainability of Multi-functional Landscapes in Critical River Basins of the Philippines,” continues to promote science-based, participatory, and inclusive approaches to landscape governance, ensuring that environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and community development go hand in hand. | via Dr. Edmichael DG. Figueroa, ABE

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