Growth Features

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)

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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)

The Philippines has supported the interest of Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Development states (SIDs) to seize a significant chunk of the “green” funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which is in its eighth round of funding replenishment.

As the pandemic has hit harder on LDCs and SIDs, the Philippine government, represented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the GEF talks, has supported the fund’s System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR).

“On STAR, (Philippines recommends) general support for full flexibility, inclusion of the vulnerability index, and increased allocation for vulnerable countries, LDCs and SIDS,” according to  “GEF Asia Post Replenishment Debrief.”

The world has faced greater challenges these times as global temperature is estimated to be 1.1 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial times.  As the world could cross the 2 degrees Centigrade threshold by 2050, GEF supports funding for projects that achieve global goals against global warming.

The GEF is a trust fund created 30 years ago to enable developing countries to address priorities such as deforestation, desertification, climate change, biodiversity loss, and ozone depletion.

The funding for green projects is estimated to reach $6.5 billion for this eighth round of replenishment.

For this cycle’s second meeting, Philippines-DENR’s Analiza Rebuelta-Teh  represented the GEF Asia Region being the Asia observer for GEF Asia GEF Operational Focal Point for the Philippines . 

The region includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Syria, and Yemen.

With a united stand, the Asian Region has brought to the consciousness of  GEF its support for the vulnerability index as a factor in the prioritization of  GEF funding of projects.

The vulnerability index under the System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) is important in determining the real economic issues of countries on the ground. 

This especially applies among LDCs and SIDS which need more assistance especially due to the pandemic.

DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the country also faces significant challenges in financing projects for  intensified environment protection against the pandemic and climate-related calamities.

“There is a need to mobilize more resources to finance climate action and intensified environmental protection amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.  GEF-8 is an opportunity that the countries should tap for this,” Cimatu said.

GEF-8’s next four-year cycle spans from July 2022 to June 2026.

GEF-8 can balloon to $6.5 billion given an increase in allocation for non grant instruments (NGI) and Small Grants Program (SGP). The allocation is meant to support private sector and civil society participation in NGI and SGP.

The GEF-8 $6.5 billion scenario allocates the biggest chunk for biodiversity, 34%, followed by climate change, 15%; chemicals and wastes, 14%; international waters, 12%; and land degradation, 11%. An allocation of $157 million is being made for SGI and $256 million for SGP.  

The following are among Asia’s other recommendations for GEF’s eighth round:

1. Intensified support for countries in their blue (ocean) and green (forestry) recoveries with the pandemic recovery factored in the GEF strategy
2.  Inclusion of fragile and conflict afflicted countries in the design and implementation of projects in these countries.
3. Mobilization of private sector in the environment goals and the role of NGI and blended finance in this effort
4. Inclusion of indicators on co-benefits of climate adaptation, private sector engagement and sustainability
5. Criteria setting for participation of all GEF agencies in Integrated Programs; concrete measures to reduce transaction costs; provide analysis of GEF agencies administrative costs; explore and address why MDBs (multilateral development banks) receive less GEF funding.  (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

November 3, 2021

The Philippines has led the Asia Region in the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-8 Fund Replenishment talks that will usher developing countries to meet international environment goals amid recovery efforts from the pandemic.

   The GEF-8 second global meeting, held virtually from September 29 to October 1, comes at a crucial time as the world is in the COVID crisis recovery stage.

   Yet, global goals have to be attained while in the peak of new challenges on biodiversity, climate change, harmful chemicals, among other focal points of the multilateral trust fund.

   DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the country faces significant challenges in financing projects for  intensified environment protection against the pandemic and climate-related calamities.

   “There is a need to mobilize more resources to finance climate action and intensified environmental protection amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.  GEF-8 is an opportunity that the countries should tap for this,” Cimatu said.

   The Philippines, represented by DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh to the GEF-8 talks, looks forward to sustained funding for its environment projects from this next cycle.

   GEF-8’s next four-year cycle spans from July 2022 to June 2026.

   GEF-8 can balloon to $6.5 billion given an increase in allocation for non grant instruments (NGI) and Small Grants Program (SGP). The allocation is meant to support private sector and civil society participation in NGI and SGP.

   The GEF was created 30 years ago to enable developing countries to address priorities such as deforestation, desertification, climate change, biodiversity loss, and ozone depletion.

   For this cycle’s second meeting, Philippines-DENR’s Teh  represented the GEF Asia Region being the Asia observer for GEF Asia GEF Operational Focal Point for the Philippines . 

   The region includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Syria, and Yemen.

   With a united stand, the Asian Region has brought to the consciousness of  GEF its support for the vulnerability index as a factor in the prioritization of  GEF funding of projects.

   The vulnerability index under the System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR)

is important in determining the real economic issues on the ground. 

   This especially applies among Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Development States (SIDSs).

   The Philippines has brought to GEF’s attention the need to increase support for LDCs and SIDSs

   The GEF-8 $6.5 billion scenario allocates the biggest chunk for biodiversity, 34%, followed by climate change, 15%; chemicals and wastes, 14%; international waters, 12%; and land degradation, 11%. An allocation of $157 million is being made for SGI and $256 million for SGP.  

   The following are among Asia’s other recommendations:

1.      Intensified support for countries in their blue (ocean) and green (forestry) recoveries with the pandemic recovery factored in the GEF strategy

2.      Mobilization of private sector in the environment goals and the role of NGI and blended finance in this effort

3.      Inclusion of indicators on co-benefits of climate adaptation, private sector engagement and sustainability

4.      Criteria setting for participation of all GEF agencies in Integrated Programs; concrete measures to reduce transaction costs; provide analysis of GEF agencies administrative costs; explore and address why MDBs (multilateral development banks) receive less GEF funding

   In its most recent funding period, the GEF has provided about $1 billion a year for projects managed by 18 partner agencies alongside national governments.

   Addressing representatives of the GEF’s 184 member-governments, CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodriguez made the case for an ambitious GEF-8 replenishment. 

   Such should match the goals of international environmental negotiations and dial back imminent risks to the world’s forests, landscapes, oceans, rivers, and remaining wild spaces.

   “The GEF is prepared to help deliver the political ambition that is emerging from your countries in the negotiations on biodiversity, chemicals, and climate change,” he said.    

   “Being bold and ambitious in what we aim for in GEF-8 is about impact – it is about results – on the ground and in the water,” Rodriguez said. “Our role is to provide donor countries with great opportunities to make an impact, and to provide recipient countries with great outcomes through well-designed projects that can be scaled.”

   The replenishment negotiation process serves as venue for the donor countries to discuss and negotiate financial allocation sharing for the upcoming GEF replenishment cycle.

    It also provides the opportunity to review GEF performance and evaluate progress, assess future funding needs of the member-countries, and to agree on the GEF financing framework.

   Replenishment meetings are attended by representatives from four clusters of non-donor recipient countries (regions of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia), NGOs (non government organizations) and the private sector.

   World Bank Vice President of Development Finance Akihiko Nishio said the discussions were happening at a moment where it was clear that the world needed to shift from established patterns contributing to environmental harm.

   “GEF-8 comes at a challenging time with unprecedented environmental challenges ahead of us. Now more than ever, business as usual will not work,” Nishio said. “We have an opportunity with this replenishment process for the GEF to take bold, decisive action, and enable developing countries to tackle the world’s considerable environmental threats in a way that generates benefits beyond national borders.”

   Rodriguez said that meeting the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants would require additional funding.

   GEF8 should provide greater outcomes under the GEF focal areas (biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and wastes) and the newly enhanced integrated programs.

   A key strategy to realize these goals is to intensify efforts to achieve better policy coherence, political consistency, and good governance.  GEF should bring together the government, the civil society, and the private sector leaders which have significant impact in addressing the roots of environmental degradation.

    The Third GEF-8 Replenishment Meeting will be held in February 2022 followed by the Fourth, and last Replenishment Meeting in April-May 2022.  (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

October 22, 2021

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is pushing for the creation of mini “bamboo forests” in all of Philippines’ more than 1,500 cities and municipalities in an aim to create a nature-friendly, export-oriented bamboo lumber industry.

   In a courtesy meeting made by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Country Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, Cimatu said Philippines and UNDP can have a collaboration in the establishment of “community-based mini forest, bamboo plantation, urban forestry” project.

   Secretary Cimatu specifically requested UNDP if it can possibly design assistance for localities (not within DENR areas) to put up bamboo nurseries. All municipalities can have their “mini-forests”.

   Ramachandran made the courtesy call to the DENR secretary together with Edwine Carrie as UNDP’s deputy resident representative and Ms. Floradema Eleazar UNDP Team leader.

   Ramachandran said UNDP has received the same request for support for bamboo plantation establishment during his visits to Albay and Cagayan provinces.

   He also informed the DENR secretary that Vietnam has a thriving bamboo lumber industry– being a major exporter of bamboo to Canada. 

   Despite Vietnam’s reported huge bamboo export to Canada, the Philippines has the same opportunities in bamboo products.  This is considering the humongous $14 to $15 billion global bamboo trade, according to Agrideco Vietnam.

.     Bamboo has both the potential to create a profitable industry and to be a tool for controlling soil erosion and sequestering pollutant carbon dioxide (CO2).

   Bamboo prevents soil erosion to which riverbank communities have been predisposed to danger. 

   A hectare of bamboo retains 30,000 liter of water during rainy season.   Bamboo absorbs huge amount of pollutant CO2. A hectare of bamboo sequesters 12 tons of CO2.

   Bamboo plants are excellent cover for vegetating riverbanks to protect these from erosion.   These have a root system called “rhizomatous” and come in clumps.  This rooting system helps keep soil together.

  Another species used in riverbanks is the Iron bamboo Guada angustifolia .  It also grows on hilly grounds.

   The National Greening Program (NGP) listed bamboo as among the preferred species for reforestation.  Bamboo will help boost supply for food, products (timber, fiber, non-timber forest products), services, and provide aesthetic value to the environment. 

    Bamboo, kawayan in Filipino, has been considered an excellent substitute for many raw materials in different industries. Its charcoal is used as organic fertilizer. Its tall, erect stems and petiolate leaf blades make for good ornamental plants. The specific specie is Arundia pygmae.  It decors the environment well with bonsai . 

   During UNDP’s courtesy call, possible future collaboration has been discussed on the following:

1.       The Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-SGP);

2.      Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Climate Finance;

3.      Circular Economy, Plastics, and Marine Litter; and

4.      Resiliency and adaptation projects on landslide/flood prone areas, and capacity building of local government units (LGUs) on Environment and Natural Resources (ENR). (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)