ACTIVITY DESIGN

IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LARGE FLYING FOX (Pteropus vampyrus)

CRITICAL HABITAT IN NOPOL HILLS, GENERAL SANTOS CITY

I. RATIONALE

The Pteropus vampyrus, also known as Large Flying Fox is a

southeast Asian species of Megabats in the family Pteropodidae. Large
Flying Fox is noted for being one of the largest bats and it feeds on fruits,
nectar and flowers. Large Flying foxes are imperative to the lives of the
locals due to several reasons. They play a biological role in the ecosystem
by dispersing seeds and by serving as pollinators of forest trees.
Moreover, they are vital when it comes to pollinating food crops locally, like
durian, which is now a thriving industry within Southeast Asia.

It was identified that Nopol Hills located at General Santos City is

the roosting site of the Large Flying Foxes under the AOR of CENRO
GSC. Monitoring shows that their population decreases over time and
hunting is one of the threats surrounding the decrease of their population.
Large Flying Fox is considered as Other Threatened Species under the
List Threatened Species (DAO 2004-25 and CITES as of 2014). Thus,
Establishment of Critical Habitat is necessary in protecting the Large
Flying Foxes at Nopol Hills.

Pursuant to Section 4 and 25 of Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise

known as the “Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act”, DENR
Memorandum Circular No. 2007-02 the guidelines on the establishment
and management of critical habitat and BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2018-
04 the prescribed templates for the assessment report and map of the
proposed critical habitat will help ensure this office in facilitating the
preparation of necessary documents in the establishment of Large Flying
Fox (Pteropus vampyrus) Critical Habitat in Nopol Hills, General Santos
City.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the presence of threatened species shall be the

primary consideration for establishment as critical habitats and this
shall be made on the basis of best scientific data available

2. To identify the areas used as a breeding, nesting, roosting,

wintering, foraging and other activities by a natural population
individuals of a threatened species listed or not yet listed but are
posing extinction
 3. To facilitate the establishment of Large Flying Fox critical habitat in
Nopol Hills, General Santos City.

III. PARTICIPANTS AND PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE CONDUCT OF

MEETING

Enumerated hereunder the involved person in the conduct of the meeting:

a) Personnel from DENR-RXII, Koronadal City (Conservation and

Development Division)
b) Personnel from DENR-PENRO, South Cotabato
c) Personnel from DENR-CENRO General Santos City;
d) Representatives from City ENRO-General Santos City
e) Representatives from BLGU
f) Representative from Academe
g) Representative from NGOs;

IV. METHODOLOGY

Establishment of Critical Habitats by the DENR:

The concerned DENR Regional Field Offices (PENROs/CENROs) shall

facilitate the establishment of critical habitats through its own initiative or
upon the request of any of the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU),
private individual and owner, group, or other interested parties. Critical
habitats shall be established thru the following procedures:

a. Orientation/Consultative Meeting

The team will conduct Information, education and communication

(IEC) meeting with the lease holder and stakeholders for the
activities to be undetaken in the establishment of critical habitat.

b. Population estimates and rapid habitat assessment

The habitat assessment is undertaken to gather pertinent

information and determine the general status of the prospective
critical habitat which shall serve as basis in the preparation of
management plan.

The parameters for assessment shall include the following:

i. Population estimate of threatened species found in the area

ii. Assessment of other wildlife resources present in the area;
iii. Status of vegetation and ecosystem types;
iv. Presence or absence of area occupants settlers;
 v. Presence or absence of man-made pressures threats to the
survival of wildlife living.in the area;
vi. Identification of existing land-uses, tenurial instruments and
claims (e.g. Integrated Forest Management Agreement, Forest
Land Grazing Management Agreement, Agro-forest, Mineral Lands
Agreement, etc.), and
vii. Management issues interventions (i.e. habitat rehabilitation
needs, management constraints) The Composite Team, shall, as
may be necessary and warranted, consult with the Forest
Management Bureau (FMB), Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau
(MGB) and other relevant agencies in assessing proposed critical
habitats.

c. Perimeter Survey

The team will conduct perimeter survey in identification/validation of

the presence of a threatened species within the proposed critical
habitat. The validation activity shall be coordinated with the
concerned community. The team may seek the participation of the
community in the conduct of the activity. The validation report must
indicate the specific identity of the threatened species and must be
supported by proper documentation such as photographs and
maps.

d. Writeshop

The team shall consolidate and analyze the validation, population

estimates and rapid habitat assessment, and community
consultation reports and submit its recommendations including
necessary maps.

e. Community consultation

The team shall conduct community consultation with the local

stakeholders and concerned LGUs on the results of the assessment
and ensure their support in case the area is found suitable for
establishment as critical habitat. The team shall prepare a
consultation report to include highlights of discussions, agreements
reached, and recommendations generated from the community, as
appropriate. Such report must be supported by attendance sheet
and photographs
 V. Budgetary Requirements

BUDGET PER
NO. ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
ACTIVITY

1 Orientation and Consultation meeting May 20, 2019

with Leyson PHP 3,000.00
2 Community Consultative with June 26, 2019
stakeholders PHP 6,000.00
3 Population Estimates and Rapid Habitat July 17-19, 2019
Assessment  
  a.) Travelling Expenses (7pax @1800)   PHP 12,600.00
  b.)Professional Fee/Guide (7 pax @  
750) PHP 5,250.00
  c.) Supplies   PHP 1,150.00
  d.) Contigency   PHP 1,000.00
Subtotal PHP 20,000.00
4 Perimeter Survey July 30 - Aug. 2, 2019  
  a.) Traveling Expenses (7 pax @ 2500)   PHP 16,500.00
  b.) Guide (7 pax @1000)   PHP 7,000.00
  c.) Supplies   PHP 1,500.00
Subtotal PHP 25,000.00
5 Writeshop (Report writing)    
  a.) meals and snacks (9pax @ 200)   PHP 5,400.00
  b.) Supplies   PHP 3,200.00
  c.) Contingency   PHP 1,400.00
Subtotal PHP 10,000.00
6 Community Consultation (presentation  
of the report)  
  a.) meals and snacks (50 pax @ 300)   PHP 15,000.00
  b.) supplies (copy of output)   PHP 5,000.00
Subtotal PHP 20,000.00
TOTAL PHP 84,000.00

Total budgetary requirements shall be charged to 1. Protection and

Conservation of Wildlife 1.1 Population and habitat monitoring and protection of
priority threatened species 4. Critical Habitat Establishment/Management.

Prepared by: Recommending Approval:

MA. ADECEIL A. ZULITA SHERYL ANN A. DUCUT

EMSI For. II/Chief, CDS

Approved by:

MARIA ELVIRA V. LUMAYAG

CENR Officer