The GROW Talabaan Project, led by Dr. Aida D. Perpetua, along with the project team members, Dr. Nonillon Aspe, Asst. Prof. Edgar Castañares, Asst. Prof. Garry Marapao, Assoc. Prof. Desheree Judena Preciado, Ms. April Montejo, conducted a stakeholders’ dialogue at Lubilan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental. The team was also joined by retired Professor Grace Prado, President of MSU Naawan Foundation for Science and Technology and Development, Incorporated (MSUNFSTDI).

The objective of the activity was to determine common goals and practicable institutional arrangements among the government agencies as inputs to establish effective strategies for the conservation and management of the Talabaan Watershed.

To level off and come up with a common goal for the conservation and management of the Talabaan watershed, the activity was attended by the stakeholders from Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KATRIBU), Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) members, Lubilan Upland Farmers Association (LUFA), Lubilan Agroforestry Farmers Association (LAFA), the Local Government Unit of Naawan, the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Office (MARPO), the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Office-Initao, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Among the highlights of the dialogue were the hopeful stories of collaboration and institutional support committed by the stakeholders to establish a unifying ground for the Talabaan watershed and the vision of a healthy Talabaan watershed in the next 10 years. Setting differences aside, the dialogue fosters healthy interdependencies that create stability in strong partnerships in light of commonalities and mutual benefits.