THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is planning to partner with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to train members of indigenous peoples (IPs) groups as forest guardians. “We believe that IPs have an important job in terms of conserving the forest and they will be properly paid. This is a very important step in recognizing the role of the IPs for biodiversity conservation,” Jayson C. Ibañez, PEF research and communications director, said at the Connect media forum on March 4. Mr. Ibañez said more than 200 IPs are now serving as forest guards of Davao City’s watersheds under a program of the local government. They work under Davao City’s Public Safety and Security Command Center and are given a remuneration of P2,000 per month. Mr. Ibañez said they are hoping to work with TESDA and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to develop a training program on forest guarding that will give an accreditation to graduates. — Maya M. Padillo

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