About Us

HISTORY

The Soil and Water Conservation Foundation, Inc. (SWCFI) began in 1985 as an informal network of persons of several nationalities concerned with the global ecological challenge and the necessity of broad-based local initiatives to respond to that challenge. The networks’ extensive experience in natural resource management in the Philippines and other parts of the world lent itself to a bottoms-up approach to planning, a participatory system of management, an equity-led development focus, and a facilitative style of assistance to public agencies and private organizations involved in environmental projects.

SWCF was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March 1988. It started small-scale support of existing projects (e.g. the various sites of the Rainfed Resource Development Project (RRDP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Ford Foundation/World Neighbors-supported farm extension program in Cebu) by providing inputs for farm-based species trials and consultancy services to enhance the technical and management capabilities of project staff and extension workers. Convinced that the geo-physical ecosystem called the watershed is the operative planning and implementation unit, the Foundation embarked on a comprehensive, integrated and cooperative venture to assist rehabilitation of three watersheds. These were: Mananga River Waterhed in Cebu, the Manjuyod River Watershed in Negros Oriental and the Minoyan catchments of the Bago River Watershed in Negros Occidental.

Common to the three sites were program activities in reforestation, agro-forestry, integrated livestock management and dispersal and inland fisheries. The initial three years funding for these projects were sponsored by the Rotary International Foundation (Cebu) and the Canadian International Development Agency (Negros).

Since these three initial projects, the Foundation (as of FY 2007) is implementing or has completed implementation of eighty two (82) projects in four regions in the Philippines. The organization has received grants during this period ranging in size from a few hundred dollars to a little over four hundred thousand dollars. Five of the grants have been for three hundred thousand dollars or more.

VMG

Vision
When a country loses its forest, it loses part of its soul. SWCF assists people and communities restore that soul.

Mission
Promotion of natural and human resources development through implementation of activities, projects and programs which are participatory, cooperative, community-building and sustainable. SWCF endeavors are designed to be technically appropriate, culturally sensitive, economically viable, socially acceptable while creating a more ecologically sound and sustainable environment.

Goals
Establishment and perpetuation of a comprehensive environmental ethic in individuals and communities, which leads to wise use, management, and conservation of our resources.

Poverty alleviation through establishment of stable livelihood opportunities for individuals and communities.

Advocacy, dissemination and replication of the ideals, philosophy, values and practices of the Foundation for the betterment of the communities in which we live.

Empowerment of individuals and communities to participate in the development of sustainable and equitable democracies.

PROGRAM THRUSTS

Advocacy and Environmental Education
SWCF educates people about the importance of water and watershed through the conduct of the following activities: Watershed tours, Water fair exhibits, Speakers’ bureau development; Production and distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) materials. The Foundation also joins with various civic groups to advocate for sound environmental planning and conservation of natural resources.

Protected Area Management
The Foundation strengthens protected area management boards (PAMBs) to bring about better participation of stakeholders in protected area management. Various activities include: PAMB planning workshops, establishment of PAMB technical working groups, skills training for PAMB members, biodiversity enhancement, community-based eco-tourism in protected areas, park design and cave management and mapping.

Livelihood for Rural Communities
Rural communities are assisted to develop livelihood opportunities through provision for micro-credit, micro-enterprise development, linkages, technical expertise and skills training and value enhancement.

Natural Resource Management
The Foundation assists local communities to better manage and conserve their natural resources through agro-forestry, livestock integration, nursery development, water systems construction and maintenance, community organization, farmers’ capability building and leadership training, local governance and gender enhancement.

Karst Management
SWCF assists communities and local government units establish and implement karst and cave management activities and programs as a means to ensure sustainable farming systems, clean and stable water supplies while enhancing biodiversity conservation on these fragile landscapes. The Foundation also assists in karst land use and recreational planning and karst educational materials production.