Assessment of the “No Fire Bonus Plan” as a Forest Fire Prevention Strategy in the Province of Mountain Province: An Explanatory Sequential Inquiry

This study investigated the effectiveness of the “No Fire Bonus Plan” as a forest fire prevention strategy in the province of Mountain Province, employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The research assessed community awareness of forest fire risks, the Plan’s operational mechanics, its implementing guidelines, and the perceived seriousness of implementation challenges. The quantitative phase (surveys) revealed a Very Much Aware (VMA) level regarding forest fire risks (Weighted Mean [WM] = 4.79) and prevention responsibilities, but only a Moderate Awareness (MoA) of the "No Fire Bonus Plan" mechanics (WM = 3.04), indicating a significant gap in operational knowledge. Furthermore, there was Strong Agreement (SA) with the Plan's implementation guidelines (WM = 4.79), confirming community support for transparent, participatory rules. Conversely, the challenges encountered were deemed Very Highly Serious (VHS) (WM = 4.65), driven by concerns over insufficient funding, inadequate training, and a lack of long-term sustainable strategies. The qualitative phase (interviews) explained these findings, revealing two key emergent themes: (1) The Willing but Unskilled Partner (high responsibility but low practical safety knowledge, which complements the high risk awareness but low WM on safety practices) and (2) Institutionalizing the Incentive (a strong desire for the Plan's legal formalization to prevent political interference, which reinforces the VHS rating for funding and sustainability). The results conclude that while the community strongly supports the Plan and understands the risks, the effectiveness of the incentive is severely undermined by organizational gaps and a critical lack of resources, highlighting the need for robust, context-sensitive, and well-funded operational frameworks.