ABSTRACT
The island of Pala’wan, which is located west of the main chain of the Philippines, is one of the country’s largest national protected areas; its biodiversity is also one of the most vulnerable. The responsive political climate in Pala’wan is an extension of the national wave of democratization and devolution after the 1986 People’s Power Revolution that deposed then President Ferdinand Marcos. The information sessions were attended by a majority of the Pala’wan in the villages, some of the lowland migrants living in the villages, and some elected local government officials. Exploring benefit-sharing schemes may be necessary considering the recognized weakness of internal community structures. The restoration of a democratic spirit with the revolution of 1986 made way for new opportunities in protected area management, the promotion of indigenous peoples rights, and the recognition of the potential of community forestry schemes.
