Assessment of the Institutional Arrangements for the Payments for Environmental Services (PES) Implementation for Watershed Conservation: The Case of Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS)

A critical gap in the institutionalization of Payments for Environmental Services (PES) hinders watershed conservation efforts at Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS), despite supportive national policies and stakeholder engagement. The study, which analyzed key informant interviews and secondary data, revealed that while enabling factors such as clear property rights for the Mandaya indigenous community and existing environmental laws exist, constraints like limited institutional capacity, inadequate water management data, and weak representation of local stakeholders in governance bodies pose significant challenges. The absence of a national PES framework further disrupts conservation initiatives due to government transitions. To overcome these barriers, the research recommends prioritizing capacity building, stakeholder engagement, sustainable funding, and aligning local actions with national policies. Active participation by MHRWS lead bodies in the ongoing Payment for Water Ecosystem Service (P-WES) institutionalization process could catalyze PES implementation, enhancing watershed management and ensuring a sustainable water supply.

Cereno, D. C., & Roxas, A. T. (2025). Assessment of the Institutional Arrangements for the Payments for Environmental Services (PES) Implementation for Watershed Conservation: The Case of Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS). Davao Research Journal, 16(1), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.59120/drj.v16i1.306