s:1471:"%T PO-NGO-LGU partnership in natural resource management: landcare experiences in the Philippines 
%A Catacutan D C 
%A Mercado Jr A R 
%X Landcare is a movement of farmer-led organizations supported by local governments with backstopping from technical service providers - that share knowledge about sustainable and profitable agriculture on sloping lands while conserving natural resources. From its humble beginning of 25 farmers in 1996, they evolved into a dynamic voluntary movement with now more than 5000 farmers involved in 250 groups from five municipalities in northern , central and eastern Mindanao. today, Landcare becomes the melting pot for farmers, professionals, government people, students and the business sector to discuss issues, share lessons, invest talents, sills and other resources geared towards better land husbandry and protection of the environment from degradation. It threads a path for constructive, long term and practical action at a community level for tackling environment and sustainability issues for the well-being of people and their communities. The success of Landcare stemmed mostly from the strength of a tripart relationship of key three actors: the farmers and other community members, the Local Government, and Technical facilitators. These three actors depend on each other, finding strength in working together-thus, forming an interdependent relationship to form a solid base for participatory program management. 
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