It is of great importance that the activities of the CROC follow-up project will be continued after the termination of the project. Here, we will consider seven factors that ensure that the projects benefits will be sustained in the long run: (1) ownership by beneficiaries, (2) policy support, (3) appropriate technology, (4) socio-economic effects, (5) socio-cultural issues, (6) institutional and management capacity, (7) economic and financial viability (based on European Commission 2001).

(1) Do all local target groups support the project, how actively will they be involved in the project implementation, what is their level of agreement on and commitment to the objectives of the project?

Research and the development of EIC materials are fully incorporated in the curriculum of the Isabela State University, ensuring the continuity of the activities. Ownership by local communities (often represented by the POs) is created by involving these beneficiaries in the establishment and monitoring of sanctuaries and information centers and by hiring them as guides, porters, or laborers. Policy makers are committed to the objectives of CROC because the protection of the Philippine crocodile is not a highly controversial or politicized issue. Success can be achieved without huge investments or large political risks. Intensive cooperation with the KKP NSMNP-CP could assure the continuity and extension of crocodile conservation activities in the NSMNP. KKP is willing to co-operate with CROC (see Annex 4). A strong relationship was build with the LGU of San Mariano during the first phase of CROC and this LGU is both very committed to crocodile conservation and responsive to suggestions on how to do it. Other LGUs have to be approached and convinced of the need to conserve the Philippine crocodile.

(2) Is there a comprehensive policy document and is there sufficient support by the responsible authorities?

CROC works fully in line with all necessary international, national, regional and local policy and conservation guidelines. The outputs of the Philippine crocodile conservation workshop of May 2002 (Lazaro 2002) work as a comprehensive strategy for project interventions. Results and project documents have been shared with all stakeholders and by now there is a number of documents and published articles on the crocodile conservation work in the Sierra Madre. The DENR fully supports the projects’ activities, especially through the office of the PASu of the NSMNP and the regional PAWD. As mentioned, a strong relationship exists with the LGU of San Mariano.

(3) Can chosen technologies be used at affordable cost, and within the local conditions and capabilities of all users, after implementation of the project?

Radio tracking will initially be done for two years until the recapturing of the crocodiles. By then the local foundation should be able to sustain this activity. Information centres in San Mariano will be built from local materials, to ensure that broken parts can easily be repaired. A similar set up as for the holding pen in San Jose, where an ex-crocodile hunter now takes responsibility for the crocodiles, could be created for the information centres. The LGU has to play a role in the maintenance of the information centre, which can be financed in the long-term by donations of tourists visiting the sites.

(4) Are there any harmful socio-economic effects, especially on children, women and indigenous people, or ecological effects which may result from the project implementation?

Sanctuaries will be established only after thorough ecological and social research and full consent and participation of the local communities and local governments. It will be tried to regulate unsustainable resource use in the protected areas. Research of CROC I has showed that the socio-economic impact of the sanctuary in Disulap River has been negligible (Ranay 2003). It is not an option to reallocate people, which is impossible in the political context of the Philippines. A danger forms the desire among some stakeholders in the region to protect the remaining crocodiles by putting them in zoos. Similarly, an increased awareness and popularity of the Philippine crocodile could enhance the pet trade. But these hypothetical risks can be mitigated by enforcing rules and regulation in the sanctuaries and informing the general public of importance of conserving the crocodile in the wild. A legitimate and often heard question in the region is if there will be a danger for children if crocodile populations will recover. There is no direct evidence that the Philippine crocodile is a danger to humans (van Weerd & General 2002). Information campaigns should emphasize that the Philippine crocodile is generally shy and avoids humans when not disturbed. In the long run, a new way of cohabitation should be found.

(5) Does the project take into account local socio-cultural norms and attitudes, also those of indigenous people?

People from Region 02 will primarily carry out the project. However, experiences have shown that it is also necessary to work with people from the village. In every activity local people will be hired as key informants, porters, guides or laborers. All activities will be coordinated with the relevant authorities. The social, political, cultural and economic context of the projects sites will always thoroughly investigated to avoid mistakes.

(6) What capacity will be build to assure continuity of the project in the longer term?

The primary beneficiaries of CROC are the students from ISU. They are the future community workers, conservationists, EIC specialists, decision-makers and government officials of the region. Enhancing their capacity is the best investment for a sustainable future for people and crocodiles in the Cagayan Valley. DENR and LGU officials and ISU faculty will be trained in research and monitoring techniques and conservation action. Local people and the POs will be trained by DENR for the Bantay Sanktuwaryos and will, with the information centres, have an attraction for visitors. A training workshop will be organized for local researchers and crocodile conservationists to provide a sound background for crocodile conservation activities. A local foundation will be set up to continue activities during and after CROC.

(7) Will the benefits of the project justify the costs involved?

The goal of the project is to ensure the survival of the critically endangered Philippine crocodile in the wild. Addressing this global conservation priority is of great importance. Reintroducing the Philippine crocodile from captive bred stocks will be a very costly, and nearly impossible task.