Protecting the Palawan Rainforest in the Philippines
Palawan, Philippines
Overview
In 2020, we launched a Pilot Project with DENR in Palawan called RAINFOREST CONNECTION PROJECT. The Municipality of Taytay was identified and proposed by DENR as one of the recipients due to the many incidents of illegal logging in the protected forest areas of Taytay.
RFCx, in partnership with Huawei and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), provided 5 Guardian devices to El Nido Tay-Tay, Palawan, and Mt. Irid, near Manila in the Philippines. Three (3) devices were installed in El Nido Tay-Tay, which is part of the last continuous primary forest in the Philippines and is continuously under threat from logging. The remaining 2 devices will be deployed by the locally trained team in Mt. Irid. The Philippine’s satellite-connected Guardian devices protect beaches, coastal, and forest habitat.
Partners
Huawei
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Objectives
Training local partners and scientists on how to use the system to extract insights in the form of a workshop and support calls.
Implementation
The DNER played a crucial role in this project, imparting vital knowledge on the forestry dynamics within El Nido Tay-Tay during device installation. They educated RFCx’s team on the specific tree species that fell prey to loggers' desires and those that remained untouched, painting a picture of the ecological warfare waged in these woods. Armed with this insight, Jimmy Anderson, a key member of RFCx’s team, made a strategic decision and selected a non-targeted tree for the installation of the Guardian.
RFCx’s Asia-based expert trained two local Filipino climbers, enhancing local capacity and enabling the installation of the remaining Guardians despite weather constraints and DNER availability issues.
Impact
This initiative not only safeguards precious ecosystems but also showcases the effectiveness of collaborative conservation efforts.
By combining advanced technology with local knowledge, RFCx and Huawei are establishing a new standard for environmental protection in the Philippines and beyond, ensuring the preservation of natural wonders like El Nido Tay-Tay and Mt. Irid for future generations.
Challenges:
Unfortunately, due to typhoon Odette, the devices installed were damaged. This project encountered several challenges, notably in 2021 when a severe typhoon struck Palawan, damaging the five GSM Guardians previously installed. Additionally, the Philippines' transition away from 2G and 3G networks required a switch to satellite technology for the Guardians.
