Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation
The Philippines has issued several milestone policies in the effort to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) – with the objective of mainstreaming biodiversity down to the lowest local government unit and across all sectors of the country. Some of these are the following:
Republic Act (RA) No. 11975, or the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024
Section 46: Protection of Biodiversity
” All agencies of the government, including LGUs, SUCs and GOCCs, shall endeavor to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and ensure that protection of biological diversity is integrated and mainstreamed into their development programs and projects. Agencies shall likewise prioritize the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems “
Section 47: Mainstreaming Green Practices All national government agencies, LGUs, SUCs and GOCCs shall, as much as possible, institute practices that promote the protection and conservation of the environment. Day-to-day operations of agencies shall be guided by principles directed towards sustainability and mitigation of the effects of climate change.
Agencies shall, in the implementation of their respective programs, activities, and projects, practice energy efficiency and conservation, recycling initiatives, and explore alternative solutions that promote conservation of natural resources.
- General Appropriations Act of 2018 – Section 40 has a salient provision for biodiversity conservation stated as follows:
“All agencies of the government shall ensure that protection of biological diversity is integrated and mainstreamed into their development programs and projects.“
2. Executive Order No. 578 (November 2006)
Establishing the National Policy on Biological Diversity, prescribing its implementation throughout the country, particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem and the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor.
3. Department Administrative Order 2016-12 which calls for the adoption of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028, directing the “integration of the Philippine Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation in the sectoral plans, programs and projects of the National Government Agencies”.
Ecosystems Conservation
For the development and management of ecosystems and the protection and conservation of wildlife, the Philippines has formulated the following policies:
