The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance the protection and conservation of the country's rich biological diversity.

The DENR and USAID on Monday launched the Protect Wildlife Project, a five-year, P1.2-billion initiative that seeks to address biodiversity loss and rampant wildlife trafficking in the Philippines.

DENR Secretary Gina Lopez and US Ambassador Sung Kim led the launch of the newest biodiversity conservation project in the country, held at Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City on March 6.

The event, co-organized by the USAID and the DENR's Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), was part of the World Wildlife Day celebration on March 3.

Amb. Kim said that the project was part of the continuing collaboration between the two governments, along with the private sector, civil society, and individual communities to strengthen natural and environmental resource management in the country.

“It will demonstrate that protecting and managing the Philippines’ diverse habitats and species lead to improved quality of life and sustainable development,” he said.

“’Protect wildlife’ is not only the name of our project. It is also the imperative for all of us to take care of the species with which we share the planet,” he added.

Lopez lauded the project’s tagline stating, “Conservation is not protecting nature from people. It is protecting nature for people.”

She reiterated that the perspective of the DENR under her leadership was area development, and making sure that the resources, especially its flora and fauna, in an area are enjoyed by the people themselves.

Noting that the species is home to a high level of endemicity, Lopez said that nurturing the country’s endemic species was the country’s contribution to humanity.

“Wildlife is therefore an integral part of developing areas. Taking care of them will give us great ecotourism zones that can help people in the communities and lift them out of poverty,” she stated.

According to BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim, the Protect Wildlife Project would also focus on improving benefits provided by ecosystems for food, water, livelihood and ecotourism.
"With the Philippines being both one of the world’s most megadiverse countries and a critical biodiversity hotspot, we need to see how we can communicate development programs more effectively so that people will appreciate better the benefits of conservation," Lim said.

Lim said that among the strategies to be used in the project include improving the attitude and behavior of stakeholders toward biodiversity, and intensifying their involvement in conserving and financing biodiversity initiatives.

The project will also enhance the competencies of stakeholders and implementers such as local government units, civil society organizations, the academe, and other government agencies on biodiversity conservation.

Two pilot areas have been selected for the project. These are the Palawan province including Tubbataha Reef, and the Sulu Archipelago including Zamboanga City and Tawi-Tawi province.

The USAID will ensure that the project’s impact is sustained by using an ecosystem approach in addressing threats to biodiversity within the sites. This would enable the local community to have a strong sense of ownership and promptly adapt to lessons they learn from the project.

Lim said the project also highlights the need to fight threats posed by wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, land use conversion, irresponsible mining, and indifference of stakeholders.

"The more habitats deteriorate and wildlife existence is endangered, the less we benefit from the goods and services that ecosystems provide to sustain human life," Lim pointed out. ###

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Published: 06 March 2017

Secretary Gina Lopez has issued the policy guidelines for two important initiatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that both aimed at providing local communities with sustainable livelihood opportunities while protecting the environment.

Lopez defines SIAD as "an approach, a strategy and a guiding philosophy that weaves environmental considerations with social justice and human development."

In DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2017-02 she issued, Lopez said the SIAD strategy aims to apply area-based interventions, concepts on its natural resources development programs including the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP), and integrated island development. eNGP is a massive reforestation program of the government that doubles as investments towards sustainable community enterprise.

Lopez said SIAD will cover, but is not limited to, river basins and watersheds, and will be initially implemented within 29 priority sites and expansion areas identified by the DENR last year.

"Beginning this year, SIAD shall be implemented in other areas of the Philippines as long as the implementers follow our guidelines and the principles behind this strategy," Lopez added.

According to the DENR chief, SIAD is pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution on the policy of the State "to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature" and on the "promotion of social justice and human rights, including the commitment to create economic opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-reliance."

"This strategy is also in response to the clamor of the Filipino people for a system of governance that will finally reverse centuries' worth of human suffering, environmental desolation, societal discrimination, moral hazard and historical injustice toward activating the full potential of the Philippines within the next 15 years," Lopez pointed out.

DAO 2017-02 calls for the formulation and implementation of a six-year SIAD Action Plan by the government, civil society and the private sector.

In a separate directive, DAO 2017-05, Lopez laid down the guidelines on the implementation of the biochar program, which is one great example of an initiative that uses the SIAD approach.

Lopez said biochar calls for the wise utilization of abundant agricultural waste materials into marketable products created by rural communities for green energy, soil enhancement, mine revegetation, and a host of environmental products and services, making it a remarkable climate change mitigation technology with a poverty alleviation through community enterprise.

Biochar is a charred biomass strictly from agricultural wastes like rice hull and straw, bagasse, pili shell, mango seed, coconut husk and shell and corn cobs, which are produced by high heating (>500oC) with very limited oxygen.

But Lopez clarified in her order that cutting of any trees to serve as raw materials for biochar is "strictly prohibited."

"However, biomass coming from trees such as wood chips, seeds, twigs and branches can be permitted," she added.

Lopez said biochar has 52 known uses, including as feed additive in animal farming, carbon fertilizer, insulator, protection against electromagnetic radiation, water decontaminant, biomass additive, ingredient in cataplasm for insect bites and abcesses, fabric additive for functional underwear, and filling for mattresses and pillows.

Biochar also draws carbon from the atmosphere, providing a carbon sink on agricultural lands. After its initial or cascading use, biochar can be recycled as soil conditioner.

Fully depreciated when finally returned to the soil, the black carbon will slowly build up in the soil -- and over a few generations the soil's biochar content could easily reach 50 to 100 tons per hectare, as in the case of ancient Terra Preta soils.

Earlier, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Philip Camara said biochar has strong potential to provide alternative livelihood to local communities given that the country consumes about 22 million cubic meters of wood for fuel and charcoal per year.

The DENR's biochar program aims to remediate perennial environmental problems like unsanitary landfills, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, unsanitary sewage diposal and heavily degraded land from mining and overuse of fertilizer.

It seeks to address the acidification of forestlands, support better survival of seedlings and trees in the government's reforestation program and removal of heavy metals from soils, among others.

Aside from helping mitigate the effects of climate change, the biochar program also aims to create a significant new industry revolving around biochar, its derivative and associative products, promoting community enterprises as the backbone of this new industry. ###

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Published: 05 March 2017

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has entered into a partnership with Japanese auto giant Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) in a bid to boost government efforts toward sustained environmental protection and sustainable development.

The DENR and MMC recently signed two agreements in which the multinational car manufacturer, under its corporate social responsibility program, vowed to support the agency's environmental projects, particularly its plan to create ecological economic zones through sustainable integrated area development (SIAD).

Both agreements were signed by DENR Secretary Gina Lopez and Undersecretary for International Affairs and Foreign Assisted Projects Jonas Leones, and MMC president and CEO Osamu Masuko.

In one of the accords, MMC agreed to cooperate with the DENR in identifying and implementing measures in support of the SIAD initiatives.

Using the SIAD approach, the DENR would assume the developmental role of providing sustainable livelihood while teaching environmental conservation to affected communities.

The MMC is expected to establish mangrove and bamboo plantations covering a total of 100 hectares within a period of 4 to 5 years.

Lopez said she was "thrilled" to sign the agreements because the MMC will "not only help make the country more beautiful, but also adapt to climate change."

Aside from planting bamboos and mangroves, Leones said the MMC also agreed to "look for other avenues to help the DENR protect the environment, specifically in tackling air pollution and solid waste management."

At the same time, Lopez disclosed that MMC will be donating an electric-powered vehicle worth US$25,000 to the DENR to promote the use of vehicles run by renewable energy in the country.

"With this kind of car, you won’t have any more gasoline expenses because you can charge it the whole night for 7-8 hours. If you charge it for half an hour, you can already go as far as 150 kilometers," Lopez said.

According to the DENR chief, the car can also serve as a generator in emergency cases when there is no electricity in a particular area.

"If we have more cars like this, we can probably clean the air in Metro Manila and save money on gas,” Lopez pointed out.
Masuko, for his part, said the MMC was more than willing to help the DENR further promote environmental protection.

He said the MMC believes that protecting the environment is an important part of corporate responsibility to society.

"As a car manufacturer, we would also want to cooperate in solving certain environmental issues and renew the resources we consume,” Masuko said. ###

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Published: 04 March 2017

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday honored 79 individuals for their contribution to government efforts to end wildlife trafficking and trade, marking the local celebration of the World Wildlife Day (WWD) this year.

Now in its fourth year, the Wildlife Enforcement Awards recognized law enforcement personnel and private individuals who were instrumental in the arrest and filing of cases against wildlife crime offenders, and the rescue of various wildlife species, most of them are considered endangered.

Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the DENR's Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) led the awarding ceremony, which was held at the BMB Training Ceremony inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

"Protecting our country's rich wildlife resources is quite a challenge for the BMB with our limited resources. These awards allow us to recognize private entities and non-DENR personnel for their significant contribution to wildlife law enforcement," Lim said.

The awardees include 34 personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation, 18 from the Philippine Coast Guard, nine from the Bureau of Customs, six from the Pasay City government, five from the Department of Justice, and two from the parcel delivery company FedEx.

Also recognized were five private individuals who provided other forms of support such as photo-documentation, species identification, and monitoring and surveillance.

In December 2013, the United Nations declared every March 3 as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's flora and fauna.

The date coincides with the day the CITES, or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, was adopted. So far, a total of 183 countries are parties to the convention.

The global theme for this year's WWD celebration is "Listen to the young voices," aiming to encourage the youth to take an active role in wildlife conservation and the fight against the trafficking and illegal trade of wildlife species.

In keeping with the theme, the BMB also hosted the 2nd National Wildlife Quiz Bee contest for 30 Grade 9 students from public schools in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and the National Capital Region.

Lim said the contest aims to encourage students to give attention to developments in wildlife, as well as raise awareness and appreciation for the country’s rich wildlife resources.

Also as part of the WWD celebration, a youth forum on crocodile conservation was held in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province. The event aimed at educating the youth on the ecological importance of crocodiles, and threats to their existence, such as habitat conversion and overexploitation.

The forum was organized by the DENR Palawan provincial office and the Crocodylus Porosus Philippines, an active partner of the government in promoting the sustainable use of the saltwater crocodile. ###

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Published: 03 March 2017

The Philippines has been chosen as the venue for this year's Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the only global intergovernmental treaty established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.

This was announced by Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Theresa Mundita Lim during the launch of the logo for the 12th COP meeting, also known as COP 12, held at the Philippine Senate on Tuesday (February 28).

The event was graced by climate change committee chair Senator Loren Legarda, environment and natural resources committee chair Senator Cynthia Villar, and CMS Secretariat Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Lambertus Lenten.

Lim said the COP meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on October 22-28, 2017, and will be attended by high-level dignitaries from more than 120 countries.

According to the BMB chief, the country's hosting of the CMS event will serve as an opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its important role as host to a number of migratory species in several of its coastal, marine, wetland and forest ecosystems.

"Birds, marine turtles, and marine mammals find it convenient to stop by our different host sites where they can feed and refuel before they continue on their journey especially during winter time,” Lim said.

She added that migratory sites allow the public, especially environmental hobbyists like bird watchers, to see such wildlife and appreciate the importance of conserving their habitats.

As this will be the first time for the COP to be held in Asia, Sen. Legarda assured the DENR and the BMB of assistance from the Senate to ensure the country’s effective and successful hosting of the event.

“As the only Southeast Asian country that is party to the convention, it is critical that we continue to take the lead and encourage other members to accede to the convention, considering that protection of migratory species and their habitats require cooperation beyond borders,” she stated.

Dr. Lenten underscored the importance of collaborative action in conserving migratory species. “If we bring our effort together, we can be stronger than when working separately,” he said.

These were echoed by Sen. Villar, who also enphasized the essence of the conference’s theme, “Their future is our future.”

“People should seriously bear in mind that the future of migratory species of wild animals is our future, making all of us stakeholders in making sure that all of us have a future together,” she said.

Villar has adopted as her personal cause the conservation of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area or LPPCHEA, which is a migratory bird site and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

As part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a substantial population of some 150 bird species find temporary homes in migratory sites in the country like the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu, the Naujan Lake National Park in Mindoro, the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in Palawan, and the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area in Metro Manila.

Philippines also provides habitat to five of the world’s eight marine turtle species, and 28 species of marine mammals such as dolphins, whales and dugong.

The whale shark (Ryncodon typus), a known migratory species which also frequents the country’s waters, plays a centerpiece role in the logo designed by the BMB for the event.

The logo shows the whale shark as a composite of nine other migratory species and their habitats, rendered as a stylized tattoo.

The letter “O” in COP12 is portrayed as a color wheel signifying the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and underscoring how wildlife conservation plays a role in meeting them.

The bottom of the logo shows waves formed as a stylized hand reaching out to the whale shark, representing the role of people as stewards caring for the habitats of all species.

The conference theme, “Their Future is Our Future” completes the logo as an arc that highlights the connection between wildlife, the earth, and people in meeting the SDGs.

The general colors used for the logo are red, blue, and yellow to represent the Philippines as host country.

Also called the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the CMS is an intergovernmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), providing a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats.#

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Published: 01 March 2017