Category: FASPS-DENR

April 12, 2022 

A Joint Memorandum Circular between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and two other state agencies is expected to strengthen the establishment of marine protected area networks (MPAN), restore damaged coastal ecosystems, and enrich coral reefs and marine habitats. 

   This policy mandates collaboration between DENR, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in improving the coastal and marine environment through cooperation. 

   “The eventual approval of the joint (DA-DENR-DILG) policy guidelines on the establishment and management of MPANs will be valuable in biodiversity conservation efforts,” according to Dr. Vincent V. Hilomen, SMARTSeas PH national project manager. 

    The JMC ensures that biodiversity conservation is given priority equally along with economic development. 

   “There will be a value for a government policy that places conservation as equally important to development and progress.  Many of the degraded coastal and marine habitats resulted from the relentless push for development and progress with little afterthought of the higher costs to the environment,” said Hilomen. 

   A joint effort of DENR, DA, and DILG will help government hurdle the difficulties of putting up Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and MPA Network (MPAN) amid coastal residents’ usual opposition against these. 

MPAN is a collection of individual MPAs or reserves operating cooperatively and synergistically under the SMARTSeas. 

   “One of the greatest challenges that we are experiencing in establishing MPANs is still the acceptance of the community. There are several instances where the communities resist to set aside a portion of their waters for protection purposes because they think that access to their fishing areas will be limited,” said Hilomen. 

   It is imperative that government capacitates its MPA/MPAN workforce to empower them in harnessing cooperation from communities in establishing the MPA/MPANs. 

   “A thorough discussion of the benefits from protection and consultation with the community from the onset is a must.   The involvement of the community in protection is critical.” 

   The DENR’s SMARTSeas PH project or Strengthening Marine Protected Areas to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines is funded under a $28.53 million co-financing scheme between government and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It also received a GEF grant of $8 million. 

   The SMARTSeas PH has so far capacitated at least  70 key DENR regional and field staff through online distance learning.  

This is the first-ever of its kind capacity building activity in the DENR.  The increased competencies included identification and approaches to resolving threats to the marine environment. 

   The establishment of three MPANs led to the development of nearly 90 management bodies of MPAs and MPANs that have demonstrated increased competencies for management effectiveness. 

   SMARTSeas has also developed a better monitoring and evaluation system for MPAs and MPANs which provided an important guide to monitor management progress across the country.    Protection of coastal ecosystems under the MPA includes patrolling, surveillance of habitats, conduct of direct activities and repair of signages, other facilities, gears and equipment. Melody Mendoza Aguiba

About SMARTSeas (Reference: Paglayag) 

The DENR-SMARTSeas PH Project was a six-year initiative of the DENR-BMB. With support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project aimed to accelerate the establishment of MPA and MPANs to include more marine key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in order to reduce and arrest the rapid degradation of marine and coastal habitats.  

The project established biodiversity friendly enterprises (BDFEs) for people’s organizations (POs) who manage their MPAs and established a co-management model as a revenue mechanisms from impact investments to sustain and cover management costs; and enabled a policy where science-based conservation strategies of marine biodiversity are ensured.  

The project was piloted in five sites in the country – Verde Island Passage (VIP), Southern Palawan, Tanon Strait Protected Landscape (TSPS), Lanuza Bay, and Davao Gulf.  

The uniqueness of each site as a marine KBA resulted to different storylines, but aiming at achieving the same goal.  

During the implementation, the project facilitated the establishment of three MPANs, adding 1.8 million hectares of the sea under a form of protection and enclosing an additional 17 marine KBAs.  

The project established 33 BDFEs in accordance with the DENR guidelines — 21 of which were provided with Low Value Grant support to POs, capacitated and deputized 220 Bantay Dagat through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).  

It also leveraged at least P 2.9 billion worth of support from the private sector and local government units, and enabled institutionalization of a more inclusive and integrated MPA and MPAN framework through local and national policies.  

November 13, 2021

Inilathala ni Melody Mendoza Aguiba

   Pinamunuan ng Pilipinas ang rehiyon ng Asya sa ikawalong usapin ng pampuno ng pondo ng Global Environment Facility o GEF. 

   Ang mga usaping pinansyal na ito ay makakatulong upang maisakatuparan ng mga umuunlad na bansa ang kanilang pangako sa pandaigdigang layunin na pang-kalikasan.  Yan ay sa kabila ng mga balakid na dulot ng pandemya na Covid 19.  

   Ang pangalawang pagtitipon sa usaping GEF8 na ginawa ng online noong Setyember 29 hanggang Oktubre 1 ay napakahalaga.  Ito ay sa dahilang ang Covid 19 ay nagdulot ng krises na dapat lang malampasan ng bawat bansa.

   Ang krises na  yan ay hindi dapat makapigil upang ang mga suliranin sa biodiversity, pagbabago-bago ng klima o climate change, polusyon mula sa kemikal at iba pang mga bagay na sentro ng atensyon ng GEF ay ma-resolba.

   Sinabi ni Kagalang-galang na Roy A. Cimatu, kalihim ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), na ang bansa ay humaharap sa mga mahalagang suliranin na nangangailangan ng probisyong pinansyal.

   “Kailangan nating mapondohan ang mga hakbang hinggil sa pagtugon sa suliranin sa klima, sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan, at sa pandemya.  Ang GEF8 ay nagbibigay ng oportunidad sa mga bansa na malutas ang mga prublemang ito,” ani Cimatu.

   Ang Pilipinas, na lumahok sa usaping GEF8 sa pamamagitan ni DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, ay umaasang mapopondohan ang kanyang mga proyektong pang-kalikasan sa pamamagitan ng susunod na cycle ng GEF.

   Ang apat na taong cycle ng GEF-8 ay magsisimula mula July 2022 at magtatapos sa June 2026.

   Ang pondo ng GEF-8 ay maaring umabot sa $6.5 na bilyon.  Yan ay possible kung maitataas ang alokasyon para sa mga programang tinatawag na “Non-Grant Instruments” (NGI) at Small Grants Program (SGP).

   Ang mga alokasyon ng pondo para sa mga ito ay naglalayon na tulungan ang pribadong sektor at mamamayang sibil upang makilahok sa mga proyektong NGI at SGP.

   Ang GEF ay itinayo tatlumpung (30) taon na ang nakalilipas upang tulungan ang mga umuunlad na bansa na tugunan ang mga pangunahing suliranin hinggil sa pagkasira ng mga kakahuyan, pagdami ng disyerto, pagbabago-bago ng klima, pagkawala ng biodiversity, at pagkasira ng ozone na ating proteksyon sa atmospera.

   Si Teh ay naging “Asia observer” hindi lamang ng Pilipinas kundi ng rehiyong Asya  sa GEF8 sa kadahilanang sya ang Operational Focal Point person ng GEF Asya.

   Ang rehiyon na ito ay kinalalahukan ng Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Syria, at Yemen.

   Sa kanyang nag-kaisang paninindigan, naibahagi ng rehiyong Asya sa GEF ang kanyang suporta sa “vulnerability index.” Ang index na ito ay nagiging basehan kung ano ang uunahin ng GEF na pondohan na mga proyekto.

   Ang vulnerability index ay isang paraan sa tinatawag na System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) na nagtutukoy kung ano ang pinakamahalagang programang pang-kalikasan ayon sa aktwal na pangangailangan ng mga bansa at kanayunan.

   Ito ay tumutugon lalo na sa mga pangangailangan ng malilit at pinaka nangangailangang bansa o Least Developed Countries (LDC) at ng mga maliliit na pulo-pulong bansa o Small Island Development States (SIDSs).

   Ipinahatid ng Pilipinas sa GEF ang pangangailan na suportahan ng higit ang mga LDC at SIDC.

   Ang malaking parte ng  $6.5 bilyong pondo ng GEF8 ay ilalaan para sa biodiversity, 34%.  Ang susunod na pinakamahalagang pondohan ay ang  mga proyektong may kinalaman sa pagbabago-bago ng klima, 15%, sinundan pa ng kemikal at patapon na materyal, 14%.

   Ang pan-daigdigang karagatan ay tumatanggap ng pondo na umaabot sa 12% ng GEF cycle.  At ang pagkasira ng mga lupain naman ay tumatanggap ng 11% na alokasyon.  Ang para sa NGI na pondo ay umaabot sa $157 milyon at ang para sa SGP ay $256 milyon.

   Ang mga sumusunod ang mga mungkahi mula sa rehiyong Asya sa nagaganap na usaping GEF8:

1. Pinaigting na suporta para sa mga bansa sa kanilang pang-karagatan at pang-kakahuyan na pangangailangan
2. Pagpapalawig ng paglahok ng pribadong sektor sa mga layuning pang-kalikasan at ang ginaganap na tungkulin ng NGI at “blended finance” (kumbinasyon ng paraan ng pag-pondo) sa ganitong  layunin
3. Pag-balangkas ng mga basehan kung sino ang dapat makinabang sa mga proyektong may kinalaman sa pagtugon sa  pagbago-bago ng klima. Ito rin ay may kinalaman sa pag-suporta ng pribadong sektor na makapag-dudulot ng pang-matagalang implementasyon ng mga ganitong proyekto.

   Ayon sa paninindigan ng rehiyong Asya, mahalaga rin na maglagay ng criteria sa paglahok ng mga ahensya ng GEF sa mga Integrated Programs (mga programa na kinasasangkutan ng dalawa o mahigit pang bansa); mga paraan upang mabawasan ang gastos sa transaksyon; at mapag aralan ang gastos na pang administrasyon ng mga ahensya ng GEF. 

   Mahalaga rin na mapag-aralan at matugunan ang dahilan bakit ang nga MDBs (multilateral development banks) ay tumatanggap ng mas mababang pondo sa  GEF.

   Nitong huling GEF cycle, naglaan ang GEF ng $1 bilyon para sa proyektong pinapatakbo ng 18 na partner na mga ahensya kasama na rin ang mga pambasang gobyerno.

   Sinabi ni Chairperson    Carlos Manuel Rodriguez sa 184 miyembrong-gubyerno ng GEF na mataas ang ambisyon ng cycle na ito ng GEF8.

   Dapat lamang na maisa layunin na sugpuin ang mga suliranin ng kakahuyan sa mundo, at tugunan ang mga pagkasira ng karagatan, ng mga ilog, kakahuyan,  kalupaan, kagubatan, at  pandaigdigang negosasyon.  

   “Handa ang GEF 8 na makamit ang mataas na ambisyon mula sa mga bansa sa mga negosasyon sa biodiversity, kemikal, at pagbago bago ng klima,” ayon kay  Rodriguez.    

   “Ang pagiging matapang at ambisyoso ay minimithi natin para sa GEF8. Ito ay magkakaroon ng resulta sa kalupaan man o sa karagatan, ” sabi ni Rodriguez. “Ang ating tungkulin ay bahaginan ang mga donor countries—ang mga bansang nagkakaloob ng yaman—ng mga dakilang oportunidad upang makapag likha ng mga pagbabago.  Minimithi rin natin na ang mga bansang tumatanggap  ng tulong pinansyal ay magkaroon ng mga dakilang proyekto na mapapalawig pa sa ibang lugar sa buong mundo.”

   Ang usaping GEF8 ay paraan rin upang ang mga donor countries ay makapag negosasyon ukol sa sharing ng alokasyong pinansyal para sa mga proyekto.

   Oportunidad rin ito upang mapag aralan ang performance ng GEF at ng kanyang paglago, at mapag aralan ang pangangailangang pinansyal ng mga bansa at ng paraan kung paano ito matutugunan ng GEF.

   Ang mga usaping pampuno ng pondo ng GEF ay kinalalahukan ng mga representatives ng apat na clusters ng mga non-donor na bansa. Ito ay mula sa rehiyon ng Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe at Central Asia, NGOs (non government organizations) at pribadong sektor.

   Sinabi ni  World Bank Vice President of Development Finance Akihiko Nishio na sadya ngang kailangan na baguhin ang mga diskusyon upang matugunan ang pangkasalukuyang suliranin na nakakasira ng kalikasan.

   “Napakaraming hinaharap na suliranin ngayon ng kalikasan na dapat tugunan ng GEF-8. Ang ‘business as usual ay hindi na epektibo,” sabi ni Nishio. “Kailangan nating maging matapang at mabilis sa pagde-desisyon.  Kailangang tulungan ang mga lumalagong bansa upang mabawasan ang mga masamang banta sa kalikasan.  Ito ay makakatulong para sa lahat ng bansa.”

   Sinabi ni  Rodriguez, nangangailangan ngayon ng higit na pondo ang mga proyekto upang makamit ang mga pangako sa Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Minamata Convention on Mercury, at ang Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

    Ang isang mahalagang istratehiya upang makamit ang mga pangakong ito as paigtingin ang maayos nap ag babalangkas ng mga polisiya, pag aayos ng political na pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto, at maayos na pagpapatakbo ng gubyerno.

   DApat lang na ang GEF ay maiayos ang pagkakaisa para sa isang layuning ng mga gubyernor, civil society, at pribadong sector upang mabigyan ng solusyon ang mga ugat ng prublema ng kalikasan at pagkasira nito.

    Gaganapin ang ikatlong GEF8  sa Pebrero 2022 at susundan pa ng ikaapat at huling usaping pampuno ng pondo sa April-May 2022.  (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

29 Abril 2021

Iniulat ni Melody Mendoza Aguiba

Pina-igting ng gubyerno ang kampanya upang iligtas ang Tamaraw na isang “critically endangered” na hayop na ipinangangambang mawala o maging extinct kasama na ang kanyang tirahan, ang Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park (MIBNP).

   Ang MIBNP ay isang ASEAN Heritage Site. Ang pagkasira nito ay pinangangambahan lalo na’t nabawasan ang pondo para sa kanyang preserbasyon dahil sa pandemyang Covid 19.

   Sa kabutihang palad, ipinag-patuloy ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), kasama ang Biodiversity Finance Philippines (Biofin), ang programa upang i-preserba ang Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis). 

   Yan ay sa kabila ng paglawig ng aktibidad ng mga ilegal na paghuli at pagpatay sa hayop.  Sila ay nagsasamantala sa sitwasyon upang bihagin ang mga Tamaraw.

   Ang Tamaraw ay isang kakaibang dwarf buffalo (apat na talampakan lamang ang taas mula sa balikat).  Ito ay matatagpuan lamang sa pulo ng Mindoro.   

   Ang pag-kaunti ng populasyon ng Tamaraw ay naging kagulat-gulat simula ng mga 1990.   Isa ang Tamaraw sa labing-isa (11) na lamang na wild cattle species sa buong mundo.

   Ang Mt. Iglit-Baco naman na syang tirahan ng Tamaraw ay nakaranas rin ng matinding pagkawala ng kanyang mga puno.  Ang natitirang pangunahing kagubatan nito (primary forest) ay tinatayang kulang pa sa tatlong bahagdan (3%) ng kanyang kabuuang nasasakupan.

   “Nakakalungkot na sa ngayon, dalawampu’t tatlo (23) na lamang ang natitirang TCP (Tamaraw Conservation Program) rangers  at tatlong (3) MIBNP wardens na lamang ang nag pa-patrol sa core area na 2,500 ektarya sa loob ng 106,655 ektaryang MIBNP, “ ayon sa DENR.

   “Ang MIBNP ay nagbibigay tirahan sa natitirang 600 Tamaraw sa buong mundo,” ayon sa DENR.

   Ang programang “Together for Tamaraw” ay kampanyang sinusuportahan ng United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  Ito rin ay sinu-suportahan ng upisina ng DENR sa MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) at ng Biodiversity Management Bureau, ahensya rin ng DENR.

   Inilagay ng International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ang Tamaraw  sa klasipikasyon na “critically endangered species.” Ito ang pinakamataas na baitang ng pagbabanta sa populasyon ng pine-preserbang flora at fauna (mga hayop at halaman).

   Mula sa populasyon na 10,000 Tamaraw noong  1900,  ang populasyon ng buffalo na ito ay naitalang bumaba sa 120 noong 1975. Ito ay isinisisi sa ilegal na panghuhuli at pagpatay sa hayop at illegal na pangangalakal.

   Sa pamamagitan ng mga programang pang konserbasyon, ang kanyang populasyon ay tumaas sa 370 noong 1987 at sa kanyang pangkasalukuyang populasyon na 600.

   Ang nauubos na buffalo ay nakinabang sa paglawig ng kanyang populasyon nang maisama ito sa pangdaigdigang listahan ng mga critically endangered species.

   Ang mga bansang lumagda sa Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ng pangkagubatang fauna at flora ay nakatulong sa pagsugpo ng ilegal na pangangalakal ng Tamaraw.

   Binansagan ang Tamaraw sa pangalang “mindorensis.” Ito ay sa dahilan na likas ang kanyang pamumuhay sa mindorensis ng Pilipinas. Ang “ensis” ay buhat sa salitang Latino na nangangahulugang nabibilang ito sa pulo.

   Inihayag ng DENR  na tatlumpu’t limang (35) bansa ang tumulong sa pag-pondo ng “Together for Tamaraw” na ginawa sa pamamagitan ng  online na kampanya.

   Sa ngayon ay mayroon nang  programang pang sampung (10) taon para sa preserbasyon na tinawag na Protected Area Management Plan para sa Mt. Iglit-Baco. 

   Isinasama ng planong ito ang paglahok ng mga katutubong tao o indigenous people (IP) sa programang preserbasyon.  Isinasama na rin dito ang kultural na tradisyon ng mga IP sa pag pre-preserba ng Tamaraw.

   Bahagi na rito ay siguruhin ang karapatan ng mga IP sa kanilang ninunong lupa o ancestral domain na mga protektadong lupa ng gubyerno.  

   Pinapalakas nito ang karapatan ng mga IP na protektahan ang mga bundok at ang kanyang endangered na flora at fauna. Ito ay lumalaban sa pagra rancho ng mga bull at panghu-huli at pagpatay sa mga hayop ng kagubatan.

   “Ang natural na park ay sumasakop sa malawak na ninunong lupa ng mga Tau-buid at Buhid na likas na tribo sa lugar.  Ginagawa silang mga pangunahing taga-pakinabang o stakeholder na gumaganap sa pagde-desisyon sa pagpapatakbo ng kabundukan, “ ayon sa Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC).

   Ang Tau-buid at Buhid Indigenous People ay lumahok sa zoning, pagpa-plano ng management, at mga workshops sa Population at Habitat Viability Assessment (pagsusuri ng populasyon at tirahan ng mga Tamaraw) o PHVA. Ito ay para sa konserbasyon ng Tamaraw at MIBNP. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

January 17, 2022

Philippines should put up more Climate Field School (CFS) similar to one in Siargao Island, rainwater harvesters, and organic compost facilities in order to adapt to climate change and flourish its agriculture sector amid weather-related disasters.

   Climate change, and its destructions as that of Odette all over Visayas and Mindanao, can no longer be ignored if Philippines’ agriculture sector should take off, according to House Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda.

   Speaking at the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.’s (PCAFI) Halalan 2022 Para sa AGrikultura, Legarda said she will be pushing for “greening” of the supply chain once elected senator.

   PCAFI President Danilo V. Fausto, along with Alyansa Agrikultura’s Ernesto Ordonez, and three other farm-based groups are orienting 2022 election candidates on the plight of Philippines’ agriculture. Others proposing recommendations are Federation of Free Farmers Chairman Sec. Leonardo Q. Montemayor, National Scietnist Dr. Emil Q. Javier, and Rice Watch Chairman Hazel Tanchuling.

   A Climate Field School for Farmers and Fisherfolks was first established in Dumangas, Leyte.

   Its 16 module program for farmers includes 1. Climate, Pests and Diseases, Crop Growth & Development 2. Cropping System/Pattern and Climate-Related Risks 3. Understanding Weather and Climate and Climate Parameters 4. Weather and Climate Information Products 5. Forecast Interpretation, Translation and Communication, and 6. Forecasts Generation.

   The rest of the training is on Incorporating Climate Forecast in Decision Making, Understanding Forward and Backward institutional linkages in Agriculture Sector

Learning, and Implementing the Rice Integrated Crop Management System Palay Check.

   Legarda said coastal greenbelts, largely planted with mangroves as that found in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, should be put up nationwide.

   “Their mangroves, their coastal greenbelt in Del Carmen, Siargao, helped them against the (typhoon destructions).  Their destruction has not been as serious as those in other local governments units in the island of Siargao,” Legarda said.

   She may not be the author of the Rainwater Collection and Springs Development Act of 1989, said Legarda. But she is pushing for rainwater harvester’s establishment in each barangay.

   “It makes sense because there’s so much water, but we don’t have water,” she said.

   Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona, president of vegetable producer Harvest Agribusiness Corp, said during the online forum that National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) irrigation facilities irrigate largely rice only.

   “It’s high time we rationalize how we use our resources especially we are made up of many islands, so our waterways are not continuous.  Water resources should be done on island basis.  There should be a regionalized development of water resources,” said Barcelona.

   “NIA, under the Office of the President, has its 85 to 90% irrigation going just to rice fields.  We should look into this. We should see the importance of irrigation on the productivity of vegetables and fruits.”

   Barcelona said the Philippines has one of the lowest yield in high value crops among Association of Southeast Asian Nations due to deficiencies in irrigation practice.    

   “So we should give importance to new technology in irrigation especially precision irrigation,” he said.

   Legarda said organic composting should also be practiced among farmers as rice straws, animal manure, and other organic wastes are a ubiquitous source of fertilizers.

   PCAFI and the four farm-based groups have been orienting 2022 candidates on the state of Philippine agriculture and have filed the following recommendations:

1. Allocation of at least 10% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) budget for agriculture which is just “fair” considering its GDP contribution of 10%.  At present, the sector just gets 1.5% budget.  Livestock and poultry contributes 27.7% to agriculture while it only gets 5.6% of the budget.  Corn contributes 6.4%, but it only gets 1.7% of DA budget.
2. Tariff collections should be used to develop the corresponding sector—Corn, fisheries, livestock and poultry tariff should be used to develop corn, fisheries, livestock and poultry sectors.
3. The Safeguard Measures Act, Anti Dumping Act, among others, should protect local farmers from unfair competition from imports.
4. National Irrigation Administration should be administered by DA for proper irrigation coordination.
5. The Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives should be created under DA
6. Local government Units should allocate funds for agriculture extension as part of the proposed Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) to ensure farmers get direct assistance on technology.
7. Convergence of DA, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Science and Technology to promote food and beverage manufacturing
8. Establishment of agro-industrial hubs and corridors
9. Passage of Land Use Bill to preserve agricultural lands
10. Diversification of agriculture production to invest more in horticultural and industrial crops, poultry, livestock, fisheries
11. Developing biotechnology, food science, automation, digitalization to enhance productivity and competitiveness
12. Regreening, watershed management, and agro-forestry implementation. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

January 10, 2022

The Philippines has signed the Preah Sihanouk Ministerial Declaration in support of regional cooperation on coastal resilience to climate change programs and of PEMSEA 2030 which will address marine plastic pollution and foster the Blue Economy.

   Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu signed the ministerial declaration during the Seventh Ministerial Forum of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2021.

   “Being the most vulnerable region in the world to climate change, we need to enhance strategic partnerships under the existing mechanism which PEMSEA provides,” Cimatu said. PEMSEA stands for the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA).

   The Philippines also reiterates its commitment to the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia 2022 to 2027.

   Cimatu said the need for regional cooperation in coastal management has intensified even in light of the Covid 19 pandemic along with the challenges of climate change.

   He said the Covid 19 pandemic and climate risks have been adversely affecting the Philippine economy.  These have huge negative impact national revenue, people’s livelihood, and the budget for environmental protection.

   The Philippines lost in 2020 $8 billion in tourism revenue including loss due to closure of beach resorts and Marine Protected Areas  and may continue to lose 6% of its gross domestic product (GDP) due to climate-associated risks.

   “These have exacerbated the funding gap on marine environmental protection,” Cimatu said at the East Asia Seas (EAS) Congress 2021.

   PEMSEA 2030 is a decade program of collaboration in South East Asia for reducing marine plastic pollution, enhancing management of Marine Protected Area Network (MPAN), and adopting the SDS-SEA.

   The Philippines, Cimatu recalled, asserted before the  26^th Conference of Parties (COP) that financing climate change mitigation and adaptation projects need three types of funding support. 

   These are grants, investments by private businesses in climate-ready technologies, and subsidies for renewable energy.

   Investments in climate-friendly systems are a necessity.  Or much more will be lost in national revenue because destruction of the environment destroys natural resources that are a source of income, jobs, and livelihood.

   “Climate change exacerbates the current pressures that our coral reefs are experiencing.  Based on a study, the Philippines is estimated to lose 6% of its gross domestic product every year until 2100 if it disregards he risks associated with climate change,” he said.

   The application of “blended protection,”  the protection of both land and sea (rivers), and environmental protection through “adaptive management” will be done in the Philippines.    

    This DENR aims to do in order to protect biodiversity.   It includes imposition of a ban on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).

   It also involves both the protection of river ecosystems and establishment of natural infrastructure (fortress, fence).  Both will support “human social, cultural, and economic needs” (according to the the Stockholm International Water Institute’s exposition on blended protection).

   Cimatu said the government is gratified that the famous Boracay beach has bounced back in attracting tourists. This is despite its closure for six months in order for government to set up sewage treatment facilities and water improvement measures.

   “The renewed image of Boracay worldwide now provides the local government and communities with sustained tourism and livelihood,” he said.

   Likewise, despite the seemingly insurmountable task of cleaning the Manila Bay, DENR has started pursuing its rehabilitation.  This cleanup includes cleanup of the 16 major rivers and 14 river outfalls that drain into Manila Bay’s shores.

   “Massive cleanup and dredging of esteros, construction of solar-powered sewage treatment plants, relocation of informal settlers, and beach nourishment of the baywalk are continuously being undertaken,” he said.

   “Significant reductions in fecal coliform counts were recorded at several monitoring stations in 2020.”

   Cimatu said generating income through the “Blue Economy” has become imperative to support protection of  coastal and marine habitats. Blue economy  is the concept of good stewardship of ocean and its resources.

   “To promote the Blue Economy, the Philippines continues to support sustainable tourism where we ensure the protection of coastal and marine habitats, resources and water quality as well as promote viable livelihood for coastal communities.”

   To promote the Blue Economy also means that the country will engage in sustainable fisheries through multi-species aquaculture and supplemental livelihood for fishers.  It is supporting traceability for sustainable tuna fisheries.

   “The country further invests in more green ports using renewable energy, solar panel lighting, and the establishment of shore reception facilities,” he said.

   Conservation of forests and terrestrial ecosystems to eliminate land-based pollution has to continue as land pollution also finds its way to oceans.

   The Philippines will also pursue emerging Blue Economy industries such as marine renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and green shipbuilding. 

   In relation to this, it will produce the National State of Oceans and Coasts Report.   It reports East Asian Seas’ progress in promoting sustainable and inclusive ocean economy and the nations’ ocean assets.

   The Integrated Coastal Management Act supports Philippines’ sustainable development of coastal and related ecosystems, food security, poverty reduction, and elimination of circumstances that makes the country vulnerable to climate change impacts.  (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

January 7, 2021

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is implementing an ecosystem-based management on Ilog-Hilabangan in Negros Isalnd and Tagum-Libuganon in Davao Region (mainly Davao del Norte) in an aim to reduce their vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

  DENR and the Deutsche Geselschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed a technical cooperation agreement for the implementation of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation in River Basins (E2RB) project.

   DENR’s River Basin Control Office (RBCO), implementation partner of the project, initiated activities in 2021 despite challneges due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

   “A Project Management Committee has already been created.  We can start implementation this year after some delays due to Covid 19,” according to RBCO Executive Director Nelson V, Gorospe.

   The Philippine government is receiving a E4.6 million grant from the German government  for the “Ecosystem-based Adaptation in 2 River Basins” . 

   It will strengthen the river basins’ ecosystem services, protect their biodiversity, and important, reduce their vulnerability to climate change as destructive flooding have been experienced in the river basins.

   “One of the basis for the choice of the site is perennial flooding,” said Gorospe.

   The German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservatin and Nuclear Safety through the International Climate Initiative has commissioned GIZ to implement the project.

   E2RB is in line with DENR’s program on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Roadmap 2018-2022. It also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, Philioppine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and enhanced National Greening Program.

   “The effective protection of forests in river basins supports the objectives of the Philippine intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in the area of mitigation through the contribution of forest sector to the planned total greenhouse gas reduction of 70% in 2030,” according to the DENR-GIZ implementation agreement.

   The project intends to have the following impacts:

•  Secure access to drinking water for 500 households and sufficient supply of water for 3,000 hectares of agricultural land
• Introduction of financial instruments to support the EbA activities
• Use of ecosystem services valuation instruments in government policies, plans and monitoring procedures for conservation financing for river basins
• Reduce vulnerability to climate change  with improved biodiversity protection (from landslide, flood risk in four watersheds in at least 20 municipalities by 10 %.

   Government has also been arresting extinction of important species in the forests in the river basins.     Among the threatened species in the Ilog Hilabangan watershed are hornbills (Penelopides panini and Aceros waldeni), the endangered Philippine spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), and the Philippine warty pig (Sus cebifrons (WCSP 1997). (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

December 14, 2021

The Philippines has recently won the 2021 Knowledge Market “Most Useful Project Resources” award at the recently concluded Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) Annual Conference held virtually last November 30-December 2, 2021.

   The country bested 36 projects in 31 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

   The award was part of a series of mini-competitions that included “Best Knowledge Market Pitch”, “Best Overall Knowledge Share/Need”, “Most Useful Project Resources”, and “Best HowSpace Collaboration.” Team Philippines was also nominated in the “Best Knowledge Market Pitch” category.

   As the prize, the GWP Team will co-design a webinar with Team Philippines.

   With the theme Working Together for Wildlife Conservation, the 2021 GWP Annual Conference focused on successfully collaborating, engaging, and empowering stakeholders to support wildlife conservation and sustainable local livelihoods.

   The Team Philippines’  Knowledge Products and videos may be viewed at Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Biodiversity Management Bureau’s YouTube Channel.

   The Philippines has been aggressively disseminating information on wildlife conservation considering its huge impact in human lives, surprisingly on human health.

   In “Illegal Trade:  A Conduit Through Which Coronavirus Transmitted to Human, Atty Theresa M. Tenazas said pandemics have clearly shown “links to virus reservoir in wildlife populations.”

   “The SARS outbreak in 2002, which infected more than 8,000 people and resulted in 774 deaths in 37 countries, came from a novel betacoronavirus sourced from bats through masked palm civets as the intermediate host before reaching humans,” said Tenazas.

   Tenazas is Wildlife Resources chief of DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).

   “The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2012, which infected 2,494 and cost 858 human lives, also came from another coronavirus passing though dromedary camels to humans,” she said.

   Even African Swine Fever (ASF) which has caused huge economic losses to Philippines and many Asian countries is attributed to wild African suids.

   Tenazas noted that the wildlife of the Philippines includes a significant number of endemic animal and plant species. Sixty-seven percent of the 52,177 species in the country are endemic and 418 are listed as threatened by the Rest List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as of year 2000.

   Hunting for international trade, massive land conversion and climate change have all been wreaking havoc on these wildlife population.

   Today, wildlife trafficking is a transnational organized crime. It is the “fourth largest transnational criminal activity in the world next to drugs trafficking, human trafficking and counterfeit goods trafficking”.

   Disease transmission through animals have long been documented in the Philippines.

  Tenazas noted that evidence of Reston ebolavirus (RESTV) infection was found in domestic pigs and pig workers in the Philippines in 2008-2009.  And bats were suspected to be the possible reservoir of RESTV.

   DENR-BMB is now advocating for stricter penalties for illegal wildlife trade through proposed amendments to Republic Act 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.”

   It has so much to protect as Philippines is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world with its unique endemic flora and fauna species.

   DENR-BMB has been continuously holding workshops as part of controlling illegal wildlife trade (IWT).  It is training people on  IWT expertise including Online Trade Investigation, Financial Investigation on Wildlife Crimes Advance Prosecutor and Enforcement Workshop.     

    In these efforts, it has partnerships with USAID Protect Wildlife Project,  BMB-ADB/GEF (Asian Development Bank-Global Environment Facility) IWT Project and the United States Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, &Training Counter Wildlife Trafficking.

December 10, 2021

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has automated permit issuance for the trading of flora and fauna to enhance global trade transparency in a long term aim to prevent illegal trade and sustainably develop biodiversity.

   In compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Philippines has started issuing permits for the trading of flora and fauna electronically.  It will be through the eCITESPH.com.

   So that information can be accessible anywhere  thereby facilitating trade, the electronic permitting system will be integrated into the Philippines’ national single window system.

   As such,  international trade of threatened animal and plant will easily be monitored and controlled.

   “The system will improve control of international trade in endangered species.  Automation of CITES processes will help enforce regulations, increase transparency, and facilitate processing and electronic data exchange with customs and other agencies,”  according to Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Assistant Director Amelita Ortiz.

   “Electronic information exchange will reduce opportunities for corruption and the use of fraudulent documents in the trading of endangered species,” she said.

   The DENR has been tapping information technology to enhance capability building to produce experts in wildlife trade. 

   Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the addition of two online learning platforms “enables the DENR to uphold its mandate of educating the people about the country’s wildlife resources despite the prevailing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic.”

   BMB has introduced the eTraining Course on Basic Wildlife Law Enforcement (BWLE) and the Wildlife Philippines Podcast. 

   This project is  under the DENR-Asian Development Bank/ Global Environment Facility Project on Combating Environmental Organized Crime in the Philippines.  

   The project  also involves aid from the United States Department of the Interior International Technical Assistance Program-Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Project 3.

   Modules under this e-learning project includes Wildlife Law Enforcement in the Philippines; Species Commonly involved in Wildlife Crimes; Substantive Laws on Wildlife Resources Protection; Other Crimes against Wildlife; Roles and Responsibilities of Government Agencies in Wildlife Law Enforcement; and Procedural Laws on Wildlife Resources Protection.

   The BWLE training course can be accessed at https:// elearn.adb.org. 

   More than  38,700 species including  5,900 species of animals and 32,800 species of plants are protected under the CITES, an international treaty signed by Philippines.  It was entered into force in 1975.  Each species is under any of three appendices depending on the degree of of protection they need.

   Each year, the BMB issues more than 1,500 permits on a tedious manual basis.

   But the new automated permit issuance system eases burden of manual work. This is aligned with Republic Act 11032 of 2018 or “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery.” (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

November 22, 2021

A 100-strong cacao farmers association in Zamboanga City has started supplying dried cacao beans to Hershey chocolate-associated Kennemer Foods International while being able to contribute to sustainability of the watershed Pasonanca Natural Park.

   The Tolosa Buffer Zone Association (TBZA) and the Salaan Buffer Zone Association (SBZA), with around 50 farmer-member each, have successfully cultivated an estimated 8.2 hectares of cacao land in Zamboanga City. 

   Another market for their cacao beans is the and JAS Agri-ventures Inc.  

   The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) just conducted in August a five-day training for farmers in Tolosa on cacao farming,

   With an initial 10 to 20 sacks of dried cacao beans supplied to Kennemer Foods per month, this volume is expected to increase next year.

   “By the middle of next year (2022), we will have been ready to harvest from more cacao areas that we helped rehabilitate,” said Dr. Reynaldo C. Navacilla, field manager of Protect Wildlife. 

   Protect Wildlife, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is a consortium of agencies helping the watershed natives to learn agriculture and agro-forestry in exchange for destructive wildlife practices.

   DENR’s training on cacao farming was conducted with USAID’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP).

   Kasanyangan Center for Rural Development & Microfinancing Inc (KCRDMFI) has supplied UF18  and W10 varieties of cacao seedlings to the communities. KCRDMFI also supplied them the fertilizers..

   The  TBZA and SBZA have also been producing their home-made tableas sold at P120 per pack, producing around 50 packs per month.

   The cacao farms of TBZA and SBZA have helped forest communities within the Pasonanca Natural Park to sustain a livelihood for themselves.

   “Some of them used to poach wildlife in the area.  Some of them used to get firewood in the forests in order to produce charcoal sold to bakeries downtown. With a livelihood now, majority of them no longer do these destructive practices,” said Navacilla.

   As to their agforestry and intercropping practices, the farmers are able to help conserve soil, reduce soil erosion, and stabilize slopes in the mountains. Intercropped with cacao are coffee and vegetables.   

   Inday Campaner, protected area superintendent at Pasonanca Natural Park, said DENR’s vision is for the Pasonanca Natural Park to become recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

   ASEAN Heritage Parks are selected based on their  “unique biodiversity and ecosystems, wilderness and outstanding values in scenic, cultural, educational, research, recreational and tourism.”  As such, they become significant sites for conservation.

   Strengthening the conservation program in Pasonanca is important even as new flora and fauna species are being discovered in the protected area.  Among these are the mistletoe and amorphophollus, according to Dr. Dante Oporto, former PENRO (provincial environment and natural resources officer) of Zamboanga Sibugay.

   Partnering with USAID in the effort to help the communities and conserve the environment are Conservation International, DAI Global LLC, Orient Integrated Development Consultants Inc., Conservation International, Rare, and Tanggol Kalikasan.

   However, Lorna Guerrero, president of TBZA, said the farmers’ group needs support in maintenance of the cacao trees to make them bear fruit. They need fertilizers, pesticides, and perhaps sustained technical assistance for best agronomic practices in cacao farming.

   Nevertheless, numerous organizations continue to aid the farmers.  USAID provided the coffee grinder to them.  USAID gave each farmer a set of three tools (including knives and pruning tools) for maintaining their farms.

   The Pasonanca Natural Park is an important watershed that contains the headwaters of the Tumaga River in southern Zamboanga Cordillera Mountain.  It is the source of water for nearly one million residents in Zamboanga City.

   It covers an area of 10,560 hectares of forest reserve and is the largest remaining old growth dipterocarp forest in Zamboanga.

   As part of its conservation, DENR’s Protect Wildlife project with USAID has also introduced financing measures for its protected area management. This is to help fund the P30 million annual cost for watershed and environmental management by the Zamboanga City local government unit (LGU).

  The LGU hires around 120 forest guards in the protected area.

   Moreover, the project’s livelihood program ensures that the communities in the buffer zone become protectors of the watershed especially during critical times as the Covid 19 pandemic.

   “DENR distributed 5,400 ready-to-plant vegetable and fruit tree seedlings and 1,500 Acacia mangium seedlings to Tolosa and Salaan people’s organizations in the park’s buffer zone as part of the government’s livelihood assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” reported the USAID.

   The Zamboanga City LGU also allocated P1 million yearly for the conservation of the park, being known as habitat of Philippine eagle and the Zamboanga bulbul, flagship species of the park.

   Since the Pasonanca Natural Park is an ecotourism—trekking and adventure – site, the Protect Wildlife Project installed monuments and markers on strict protection and multiple use zones.

   “Park signage was installed to remind nearby communities of prohibited activities in the strict protection zone and to promote agroforestry in buffer zones. Signage was installed along marked boundaries, where the threat of encroachment is high.”

  The Protect Wildlife project also supported the Zamboanga City Anti-Wildlife Trafficking Task Force (ZCAWTTF).  It helps in the enforcement of environmental laws in Zamboanga City.

    Pasonanca Natural Park is home to a reported 96 highly threatened species. These include the Philippine Eagle and  Zamboanga bulbul Mindanao bleeding-heart, Philippine kingfisher, Philippine leafbird and little slaty flycatcher. It is said to be home too to the Mindanao broadbill, azure-breasted pitta, celestial monarch, southern silvery kingfisher, blue-capped kingfisher, spotted imperial pigeon, giant scops owl, Japanese night heron, Chinese egret, rufous-lored kingfisher, Philippine dwarf kingfisher and Philippine cockatoo.  (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

—

November 16, 2021

A renewable energy project called “DREAMS” has brought a stable 24-7 solar energy supply to 20,000-household residents of Pamilacan, Baclayon, Bohol– stabilizing economic development in the island.

   Financed under the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Support Facility for Renewable Energy (SF4RE), the solar energy project installed a 39 kWP (kilowatts peak) Photovoltaic (PV) system to the Pamilacan Island Community.

   The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has expressed support for the solar energy project that will be generating carbon sequestration credits for Bohol Province.

   As the GEF Operational Focal Point in the Philippines is in DENR under the office of Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, DENR is gratified that  an entire 20,000 household community benefits from an energy source that contributes to reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

   A switch on event was held last October 28 in Pamilacan Island, Bohol to signal the operation of the Photovoltaic expansion project.

   The WeGen Laudato Si Social Enterprise and Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco I) will lead the operation of the PV system. 

   They will also coordinate with the LGU (local government unit) and assist the community partners to have the management capacity as an energy association.

   These are the other community partners of the PV project:

1.  Pamilacan Solar Credit Cooperative, a women enterprise that collects payment from consumer households at P10 per kilowatthour (kwh).
2. Department of Education which provides the school space or roof tops for the solar PV installation.

   The operation of the PV system generates financial benefits for the Pamilacan community as the share of the cooperative becomes a trust fund. 

   The GEF SF4RE is a $1 million facility under GEF’s DREAMS (Development of Renewable Energy Application Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability).  SF4RE’s aim is to generate renewable energy investments or financial support for renewable energy.

   The SF4RE also  builds partnerships among local government units, distribution utilities, power generators and community associations to attain energy security and 100% household electrification.

   The PV expansion system in Pamilacan Island is such a milestone since the island enjoyed power for only five hours per day five years ago. 

   Their electricity was powered then by diesel generators of the Boheco 1 through a Genset with 50 kVA (kilovolt-ampere) and 80 kVA for nightime power supply.

   As soon as WeGen installed in 2017 an off grid solar PV system that supplied 24/7 electricity to the households, economic development was immediately observed.

   “Economic growth flourished as the island is an ecotourism area.  Living conditions improved with additional livelihood.  Energy demand increased due to more appliances and equipment for household use and business.”

   However, increased demand was ensued by shortage in supply and system malfunctions.

   Thus, the PV expansion at present is needed to match power demand from additional 357 households.

   “The expanded system would reduce the community usage of the diesel generators.  Thus it is expected that the average cost of energy at the family level will decrease since households will be getting cheaper power during the day.  This will also continue to support the electricity of the school,” reported the Department of Energy (DOE).

    The diesel generators will only supply night-time electricity.

   The additional installed power capacity may free up the demand on the Boheco Genset.  The Genset may potentially be used to run a small desalination plant which will be under a study.

   The installation will also lead to the compliance of Boheco to the Renewable Portfolio Standards (off-grid) under the Renewable Energy Law. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)