Abstract
"Abstract"
H. I. Jaji. Managing Natural Resources and Conflict in Conflict-Affected Watersheds in the Philippines: The Case of Agusan River Basin, 232 pages, 38 tables, 25 figures, 2011
The study analyzes and describes the conflict and natural resource management in Agusan River Basin (ARB) in the context of ecosystem-based management. Specifically, it aims: (i) to describe the existing physical and socio-economic conditions of the ARB; (ii) to determine and analyze the factors that influence the collaborative partnerships among stakeholders of the ARB; (iii) to identify the existing governing and institutional mechanisms of the natural resource management of the ARB; (iv) to describe and analyze the conflict situation in the ARB; and (v) to recommend management strategies and measures.
The researcher collected data through a six-month long fieldwork tour. First, the researcher studied the policy documents to review and assess relevant existing policies on natural resource and security management. Second, the researcher, using a snowball sampling method, interviewed key informants and stakeholders involved in or affected by collaborative partnerships in the ARB. Third, interviews using stratified random sampling were conducted among migrant farmers, indigenous peoples and the security forces who were deployed in the Basin. The survey questions seek to know the respondents' environmental knowledge, security perception, behavior towards the ARB, and perception towards natural resource management. Finally, the researcher observed and participated in the ARB management consultation workshop attended by key management actors in Davao City.
The researcher used the documents review, descriptive-content analysis and descriptive and inferential statistical treatment of data in analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data to provide a comprehensive assessment of the physical, socio-economic and institutional profile of the ARB and its security situation. Major findings in the study are: (i) imposed and incoherent policies breed conflict; (ii) lack of convergence alters power dynamics; (iii) dysfunctional government agencies push stakeholders to shop for alternative venues of cooperation; (iv) traditional conflict resolution mechanisms should be optimally used; (v) security forces are potential partners in natural resource management; and (vi) organization of the ARB Governing Board is imperative for a collaborative framework management.
Keywords: watershed, institution, conflict, management, collaboration
H. I. Jaji
Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, December 2011
Richard C. Smardon, Ph.D.
Graduate Program in Environmental Science
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Syracuse, New York
Richard C. Smardon, Ph.D. ______________________________