The Philippines developed its Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan’s (PBSAP) as a commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and response to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The PBSAP clustered its targets and focus on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, human well-being and reduction of biodiversity threats. It envisions that “By 2028, biodiversity is restored and rehabilitated, valued, effectively managed and secured, maintaining ecosystem services to sustain healthy, resilient Filipino communities and delivering benefits to all”.
Further, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 Chapter 20 targeted to ensure ecological integrity and improve the socio-economic conditions of resource-based communities. Supportive to this is the three (3) major sub-sector outcomes such as (a) sustained biodiversity and functioning of ecosystem services; (b) improved environmental quality; and c) increased adaptive capacities and resilience of ecosystems.
The integration of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) related priorities in the national, regional and local plans must be given attention because this will ensure harmonized biodiversity strategies and actions. The Republic Act 10964, General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019, Section 43, mentioned that “all agencies of the government shall ensure that protection of biological diversity is integrated and mainstreamed into their development programs and projects.”
To introduce biodiversity and gather inputs in mainstreaming it with various relevant stakeholders from the national government agencies/offices and other organizations, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) has scheduled and conducted series of round-table discussion to mainstream biodiversity into the sectors of energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing industry and health in support of Cancun Declaration and CBD-COP 13 last 2016.
A Roundtable Discussion was also held last June 10-11, 2019 with the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) of DENR which was tasked to lead the stock-taking of researches conducted by DENR, academe and other research institutions in Mindanao in preparation for the proposed Biodiversity Summit proposed to be held in 2020.
A Stakeholders Consultation Meeting is scheduled to be held on July 10, 2019 for the Mindanao Biodiversity: One Science for Sustainable Development. Key technical staff from DENR-ERDB and regional offices of DENR and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are expected to attend.
In line with the implementation of the PBSAP, the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) sought the assistance of the Protect Wildlife Project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Biodiversity Finance Initiatives (Philippines) in finalizing the local BSAP of Aurora, South Cotabato, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City. Part of the technical assistance will be in the preparation of their Biodiversity Finance Plans. Orientation workshops were also conducted to orient DENR regional representatives on the process of finalization of local BSAPs, activity design and the development of finance plans. PBSAP Focal persons and assigned PPPMS staff of DENR attended the workshops.
To date the six (6) regions were provided technical assistance inthe localization of their BSAPS: Regions 3, 4A, 6, 7 , 9 and 12.
Region | Province | City | Status |
---|---|---|---|
3 | Aurora | with Draft BSAP | |
4A (CALABARZON) | Cavite,Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon | The output of CALABARZON is a Regional BSAP | |
4B(MIMAROPA) | Oriental Mindoro Occidental indoro | have existinglocal BSAP | |
6 | Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros Occidental | Each provinces has their own provincial BSAPs and it will be then consolidated as Western Visayas BSAP The province of Negros Occidental has a finalized provincial BSAP. | |
7 | Bohol Cebu Siquijor Negros Oriental | Each provinces has their own provincial BSAPs and it will be then consolidated as Central Visayas BSAP The province Negros Oriental has a finalized provincial BSAP. | |
9 | Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga City | with Draft BSAP |
12 | South Cotabato | General Santos City(Gensan) | GenSan will have its own BSAP since it is a lone city and not part of South Cotabato |
Currently the provinces of Mindoro have their local BSAPS.