Philippine Forestry Sector Advances Redd+ As Climate Protection Strategy

FASPS Updates

The official newsletter of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Services Release no. 10 April-June 2017 PHILIPPINE FORESTRY SECTOR ADVANCES REDD+ AS CLIMATE PROTECTION STRATEGY

Ceremonial handover and acceptance of the accomplishments of the National REDD+ System Philippines project by representatives of the Philippine government. (from left to right) DENR Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service Director Edwin Domingo; Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang, representative of Congresswoman Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon of the 1st District of Davao Oriental; FMB Director Nonito Tamayo; Department of the Interior and Local Government representative Ms. Angela Mamuyac; National REDD+ System Philippines Principal Advisor Dr. Klaus Schmitt; GIZ Philippines and Pacific Resident Director Dr. Andreas Kalk; Atty. Geroncio Aguio representing the Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; and German Federal Ministry for the Environment representative Mr. Marc Spiekermann.

Incorporating ancient ETHNIC Lanuza Marine Park Sanctuary: Empowering People’s customs in park management | page 4 Organization in Managing Marine Protected Area | page 5 FASPS Updates Release no. 10 April - June 2017 DENR and DOE Table of Contents Partner with the European Waging An Unfamiliar Battle 3 Union for Philippine forestry sector advances REDD+ as climate protection strategy 4 Sustainable Development Incorporating ancient tribal customs by Charis Antalan in park management 4 For years, the European Union Lanuza Marine Park Sanctuary: Student and teacher representatives with DOE Director IV Utilization (EU) has been an active partner of Empowering People’s Organization in and Management Bureau Atty. Patrick Aquino (in green polo shirt), the Philippines in strengthening its Managing Marine Protected Area 5 EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen (in coat and policy framework for sustainable maroon tie), and ASec. Abesamis (in coat and blue tie) development. Towards a Healthier Environment: The MMC Vehicles Donation Project 6 On June 6, 2017, the EU, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Energy (DOE) converged at the Crowne Plaza Manila. The partnership event provided an Rediscovered butterfly boosts drive to opportunity to introduce various knowledge products tailored to the learning needs of schools to inculcate declare forest reserve a national park 7 into students good stewardship of our environment and natural resources, and to encourage them to participate in building environment-friendly communities. German Embassy emphasizes importance of ecotourism to 7 Among the products launched were posters, leaflets, comic books, policy briefs, and other presentation conserve biodiversity materials.

Biodiversity conservation leaders and Mr. Rommel Abesamis, the Assistant Secretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects of the DENR, practitioners celebrate IDB, showcase 8 recognized the power of education in sustainable development. best practices and lessons in First National Biodiversity Congress “Education is an important means of implementation that cuts across all the SDGs, and supports the overall achievement of the post-2015 development agenda. We all know that education is recognized as one of Philippine ICCA Project partners 9 the goals that, when fully implemented, provides the highest long-term return to all levels of society in the with INREMP world,” he said.

FMP conducts workshop to update The theme of the launch “Luntiang Puso” underscores the innate Filipino value of love for our home planet its operations manual 10 Earth and our local heritage by reinforcing the Filipinos’ high regard for bayanihan (cooperation), pagtitipid (prudence), and malasakit (empathy). The design of the green heart was inspired by a 14-year-old student Empowering Bohol’s FBS facilitators who participated in the “Colors of Sustainability”, a poster-making contest that encouraged participating through cross-farm visits in Leyte 10 students to depict their interpretation of how the Philippines could contribute to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). and Samar Celebrating Progress and Accomplishments in Fishing Communities by Ma. Andrea Palma Putting Naujan Lake National Park in nurturing and capable hands: women 11 June 20, 2017 – RARE, an international organization steered an event called “Fish Forever: A Celebration of Community- and the sustainable management of Managed Fisheries” at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place, Quezon City which served as a venue for knowledge and nature at the local level experience-sharing of success stories and best practices in coastal resources and fisheries management from different coastal communities of the Philippines. RARE’s partners from various local government units (LGUs), as well as other national government agencies, development network, academe, and communities shared and discussed their strategies in Snapshot News managing their near-shore fisheries and in addressing issues on fishing communities.

PENRO Guimaras conducts 12 The event held a plenary session to highlight Fish Forever’s national and global impact through behavior change and orientation on the establishment of community support, which led to an effective management plan, as well as financial resilience and social protection among IPAF for TINMR fisherfolks. Currently, RARE boasts 37 municipalities in the Philippines which areFish Forever program sites. Afterwards, parallel sessions were conducted to have a more intimate and detailed discussion on topics relative to sustainable Capability Building for Project 12 management of coastal resources and fisheries. The participants were allowed to choose among the following sessions to Proposal Preparation participate in: 1) Rights, Responsibilities and Rewards: Implementing Managed Access Areas and Sanctuaries (MAA+S), to learn about the specifics of establishing MAA+S and how it is a recognized strategy for sustainable municipal fisheries; 2) Behavior Change through Pride Campaign, to understand the critical role of behavior change in sustainable fisheries Philippines: National Conference on 12 and how the use of social marketing enables it; 3) Improving Incomes through Market Links and Savings Clubs, to learn Natural Capital Accounting about establishing savings clubs and how they contribute to the building of financial assets for both productive and social protection of fisher communities; and 4) Climate Resilience in Fishing Communities, to understand the experiences of DENR and European Union Launches two municipalities in building the resilience of their sites to the risks of climate change. Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring System 12 RARE is an organization that has been championing efforts and pushing for innovative solutions to empower communities and develop influencers in various countries, including the Philippines, towards environment conservation and sustainable resource management. Recognizing the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) and sanctuaries, RARE launched Fish Forever in the Philippines in 2014, and focused its efforts and initiatives towards 2 protection and conservation of municipal fisheries and municipal waters. Release no. 10 April - June 2017 FASPS Updates

WAGING AN UNFAMILIAR BATTLE by Sheela Legaspi ------

May 10, 2017 marked the beginning of former AFP Chief of Staff Roy Cimatu’s tenure as head of the DENR. President Duterte’s decision might have been quite unexpected even to Cimatu himself, but the President’s trust gave the latter a heart to take the opportunity of serving the country Secretary Roy Cimatu, giving his first speech at the DENR once more. Social Hall during the Turnover Ceremony During the turnover ceremony at the DENR Social Hall, retired General Force Mercury to probe into the mercury poisoning case near a mining Roy Cimatu assumed the responsibility and accepted the challenge site previously operated by Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. (PQMI) in of becoming the new steward of the environment. He was warmly Puerto Princesa City. welcomed by DENR officials and staff as he urged solidarity in achieving the “green goals.” At the diplomatic front, he has promoted solidarity and effective communication among ASEAN countries toward sustainable Acknowledging the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he also development. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of scientific asked for some time for him to familiarize with the pulse of the job. research and development (R&D) when formulating management solutions. “I do not need to reinvent the wheel, or discontinue the progress made across our first 30 years. I will, however, endeavor to make the system “WTE technologies and projects are starting to gain momentum in the work better, more efficiently and with greater effectiveness. That will be Philippines. There are now quite a number of projects that make use achievement enough, given the magnitude of the job,” he declared. of WTE technologies,” he shared, reporting on DENR’s waste-to-energy (WTE) strategy for waste management. True to his words, he is straightforward in setting his priorities to achieve sustainable management and development of environment and natural One such project is the *PCB-WEE Project, which uses WTE process resources. in managing wastes. It is a project supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization “My main effort will be protecting the environment and implementing (UNIDO). laws, such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” he said. A bemedalled soldier during his days in the military, the Secretary is called upon from being the top protector of the people to become the More particularly, he expressed his desire to achieve good air quality for chief protector of our environment and natural resources. There is great Metro Manila and pursue the clean-up operations on Pasig River. optimism that he brings stability and discipline to the environment sector. Certainly he is not an on-the-job trainee, however. Since his assumption to office, the newly appointed head of the Department has cancelled Wishing you the best, Sir! the Ipilan Nickel Corporation’s tree cutting permit in Palawan, and set in motion the rehabilitation of Malandog River in Antique after he *Implementation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls - Waste from Electrical witnessed the environmental negligence and abuses that were taking a and Electronic Equipment (PCB-WEEE) Management Programs for toll on the environmental conditions of those sites. He also formed Task Electric Cooperatives and Safe e-Wastes Management Project

Editorial Advisers Undersecretary Atty. Jonas R. Leones Content Coordinator Assistant Secretary Rommel R. Abesamis Alma P. Estrada

Editor-in-Chief Layout Artists Director Edwin G. Domingo Laarni V. Marciano | Sheela V. Legaspi

COVER FEATURE: REDD+ as a Climate Protection Strategy by REDD+/ Frances Mara Mendoza

“[The] collective effort among government, non-government institutions, academe, Provincial Forest Sector Framework Plans (PFSFPs) – considered to be a pioneering and local communities demonstrates the country’s commitment and willingness to activity in the Philippines – are also developed with the support of the project. These move forward with REDD+,” Director Nonito Tamayo of the Forest Management PFSFPs guide the formulation of the individual forest land use plans (FLUPs) of the Bureau (FMB) shared during the National REDD+ System Philippines Closing LGUs and the ancestral domains sustainable management and protection plans Event on April 7, 2017. (ADSDPPs) of the indigenous peoples/indigenous cultural community, which are vital sectors and components of the comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs). In 2013, An agreement to pursue and sustain REDD+ initiatives was reached during the the updated CLUP Guidelines were issued by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory project’s closing event. Led by FMB, the forestry sector’s commitment to reduce Board (HLURB) mandating all LGUs to update and/or develop their CLUPs climate change impacts through REDD+ was strongly supported by different following the ridge-to reef approach, or popularly known as integrated ecosystems government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, local government management (IEM) approach. With support from the project, participating LGUs units (LGUs), civil society organizations, people’s organizations, and the indigenous have successfully formulated – with the approval of DENR – their respective FLUPs. cultural community. As a result, approximately 366,407 hectares are now being effectively managed through various tenure arrangements with local communities and indigenous The forestry sector commits more than 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions peoples. mitigation target of the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the Philippines with REDD+ being one of the mitigation strategies. In October 2015, “This shows how deeply embedded the bilateral collaboration under IKI the Philippines submitted its INDC target of about 70% carbon emission reductions [International Climate Initiative] is since it started in 2008… the Philippines has great by 2030 relative to its business as usual (BAU) scenario of 2000–2030. In addition, experience and very passionate in implementing the Paris Agreement and climate the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017–2022 seeks to pursue strategies to change and biodiversity issues,” Ms. Barbara Schäfer of the German Federal Ministry rehabilitate and restore degraded natural resources and protect fragile ecosystems for the Environment said in recognition of the fruitful partnership between the while improving the welfare of resource-dependent communities. Philippines and Germany.

“The Plan [PDP] intends to intensify sustainable management of natural resources REDDvolution. The REDD+ infographic brochure provides a summary of the such as the forest and watershed, mainstream ecosystem values into development project accomplishments and also aims to stimulate support for pursuing REDD+ as planning, institutionalize natural resource monitoring system, and enhance the a strategy for achieving sustainable forest management in the Philippines. implementation of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction actions across sectors… to increase the country’s adaptive capacities and resilience,” OIC- The Philippines has fulfilled three of the four requirements for REDD+ Assistant Director Diane Gail Llanto of the National Economic and Development implementation under the Warsaw Framework, and the issuance of appropriate laws Authority emphasized. and policies for the country’s full REDD+ implementation is under way.

These strategies in the PDP are aligned with and contribute to the objective and “… as a Congressional Representative, I would like to initiate the shaping up of strategies of REDD+, and will be further implemented to complement the Philippine policies related to REDD+ implementation and its safeguards, where the ecosystem government’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), services of forests – the carbon and non-carbon benefits – can be enjoyed by all particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). stakeholders… and for the carbon sequestration to be truly a nationally determined contribution to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” 1st District of Davao Oriental Through the joint work of GIZ and FMB in the implementation of the project, Representative Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon said. approximately 467,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions were achieved through avoided deforestation and carbon sequestration in the three project REDD+ stands for countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and sites located in the Provinces of Albay, Eastern Samar and Davao Oriental. forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Approximately 12 to 15 million indigenous people live in the Philippines’ upland forests. Their customs are based on a respect for flora and fauna, which Incorporating ancient the indigenous peoples consider the home of the nature spirits that provide the resources on which they depend for their survival. Traditionally, ethnic practices, ethnic customs in park such as how to manage natural resources at sacred sites, have been passed down orally. However, in 2015, a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for management Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program empowered by B+WISER Program indigenous people to document and align these practices with park management approaches. Documenting indigenous people’s (IPs) traditions and culture has led to a more holistic approach to conserving an ASEAN Heritage In collaboration with the Philippines’ Department of Environmental and Natural park. Resources (DENR), B+WISER works throughout the Philippines to conserve forests and biodiversity, including in the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park. The Philippines’ biodiversity is stunning. Across its 7,000 small islands, the country has one of the greatest concentrations of endemic species in the world. With its The park was designated as a protected area by the government in 2000 and diverse habitats and unique flora and fauna, the Philippines has long been a declared as the 28th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Heritage Park in the priority for global conservation efforts, the bulk of which have been led by local country in 2009. The Kitanglad Mountain Range in Bukidnon is home to one of and international organizations. Just recently, however, the views and voices of the few remaining rainforests in the country, harboring diverse species of rare and indigenous communities about this endeavor were captured in writing for the first endemic plants and wildlife, including the Philippine eagle. But there is more to it time. than meets the eye. (turn to the next page...) 4 Release no. 10 April - June 2017 FASPS Updates

Incorporating ancient ethnic customs in park management This research helped them to map cultural HCVs, such as altars, sacred grounds, bodies of water, trees, and rocks. The research project showed that out of 38 sacred (...continued from previous page) sites, 15 sites overlap with earlier-defined biological HCV areas. This means these areas warrant conservation efforts by the park’s management board and the In 2014, during a meeting with the indigenous people of Mount Kitanglad to Philippine government not only based on their biological significance, but also discuss conservation activities, one of the ethnic chieftains, Datu Makapukaw, based on their cultural importance. shared his desire to preserve customs in their ancestral domain. He was keen on documenting these practices in a way that would also benefit the park’s KIN noted about the indigenous people: “[Their] perspectives and value on the management. importance of Mount Kitanglad to their survival and identity can very well qualify the area not only as a natural park but also a cultural heritage site.” So in 2015, B+WISER provided a grant to the Kitanglad Integrated NGOs (KIN), a group that works with ethinc groups residing in Mount Kitanglad Park to promote The KIN research project officially added the three ethnic groups’ cultural heritage and conserve their cultural and natural heritage, to research and create — for the sites to the park’s management plan. In August 2016, KIN presented its research first time in ethnic history — written documentation of customs, traditions, and to the park’s Protected Area Management Board, prompting the board to adopt a practices related to natural resource management by indigenous people. resolution to integrate ethnic norms and policies into its management processes. These changes fundamentally harmonized park policies and tribal policies, Using technical and financial support from B+WISER, KIN conducted the especially in areas where commercial or tourist activities intersect with culturally Kitanglad Indigenous Natural and Cultural Resource and Documentation Project. significant areas. Through interviews with 15 cultural experts among three ethinc groups residing in Mount Kitanglad Park — the Talaandig, Bukidnon, and Higaonon groups — KIN Sharing their long-kept secrets about ethnic rituals and sacred sites with the outside documented stories of cultural traditions, locations of the ethnic groups’ sacred world has allowed Kitanglad’s indigenous people to become a vocal partner in zones, and culturally significant natural resources. They also recorded ancient managing the mountain range. Mr. Makapukaw believes that this project is also knowledge about indigenous people’s traditions of caring for forests, rivers, and a model for other tribes in the Philippines. By engaging in the public dialogue on ecosystems. forest preservation, ethnic groups increase the chances that their ancient practices will continue. Beyond this recording process, the grant established Mount Kitanglad’s cultural “conservation value,” which is based on their knowledge of the presence of species “This has been a life-long dream,” Mr. Makapukaw reflected. “I would like our unique to that area, sacred sites, resources used by local residents, and other factors. customs and traditions to be documented so that our children and their children B+WISER had already identified biological high conservation value (HCV) areas will learn to appreciate what we have done and will know what to do when it comes in Mount Kitanglad Park. to sustainably managing our tribal homeland.” Lanuza Marine Of the 8,948-hectare municipal waters of Lanuza, 111 hectares were declared Park Sanctuary: protected. The no-take zone is composed of 53 hectares while the buffer zone is 58 hectares. There are at least 400 small fisherfolks dependent on fishing for their Empowering People’s livelihood. Organization in Through the said ordinance and coordination with the Philippine National Police, the LGU employed Bantay Dagat to enforce a 24-hour fishery law enforcement Managing Marine and seaborne patrolling. It now regularly conducts fish catch monitoring by tasking at least 100 Lanuza fisherfolks to list down the details of fish catch including the Protected Area species of fish, number of kilos, location, and the method of fishing they used. The by Rizza Sacra Lanuza LGU spends approximately Php 1M annually for the marine protected area (MPA) management costs including enforcement, capacity building for the Dwindling Fish Catch partner people’s organization (PO), and other logistical needs to sustain protection In 1995, illegal fishing was rambling within the municipal waters of Lanuza. of the sanctuary. Liba-liba (a locally-known method of commercial fishing) and dynamite fishing were two of the few destructive methods rampant in the area, which caused the The establishment of the protected area and strict law enforcement have since low fish catch among local fisherfolks. borne fruits with coral reefs reportedly starting to recover. Social Enterprise for MPA Management To address this issue, the local government unit (LGU) launched the Lanuza Sagip Karagatan Program in the same year, and in the midst of the dialogues conducted The Lanuza government unit saw the necessity of involving locals in the protection with commercial fish owners, the Lanuza LGU floated the idea of declaring a of natural resources. Specifically included in Ordinance no. 9 is the LGU co- marine reserve. This, however, was opposed by many locals. management of the sanctuary with a community-based organization. In 2002, the Kapunungan ng Lanuza hong Mananagat (Association of Fisherfolks) was Efforts for the protection of Lanuza waters persisted, nonetheless. In 1998, a coastal formed, gathering members from the six coastal communities. The Kapunungan resource assessment was conducted through the assistance of Volunteer Service had a good start managing the sanctuary until a faction surfaced – some members Organization. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Provincial of the organization wanted to continue the protection in the area, while some Fishery Office also administered a survey that served as a basis of coverage of the members had vested interest in the sanctuary. Consequently, the management of marine park sanctuary. Finally, after four years of ground work and lobbying, the the Lanuza Marine Park Sanctuary was handed back to the LGU in 2007. Lanuza Marine Park Sanctuary was officially established on July 27, 2002 under Ordinance No. 9. (...turn to the next page) 5 FASPS Updates Release no. 10 April - June 2017

Lanuza Marine Park Sanctuary (...continued from previous page)

After almost four years, the LGU resolved to organizing and empowering another PO that could manage the sanctuary. This led to the establishment of the NURSIHA Enforcement Team (abbreviation of three coastal communities: Nurcia, Sibahay, and Habag) in September 2011.

The NURSIHA became one of the most active POs in Lanuza Bay, participating in and supporting the *SMARTSeas PH Project. Eleazar Ortuyo, Chairman of NURSIHA, said that aside from the capacity building organized by the LGU, they also benefit from the technical assistance being provided by the Project.

“Last 2016, we attended a business and financial planning workshop. We understand that the LGU’s capacity to provide us funds for the MPA will vary depending on the leadership of the municipality. The profit from the sanctuary café is also not enough to fund the operation and enforcement. So, we need to have our own sustainable source of management fund,” Ortuyo shared.

During the workshop, Ortuyo and his fellow PO members learned the basic of business planning in the context of MPA management. They became motivated to establish their own social enterprise that would help them earn enough money to sustain the logistical needs of managing the sanctuary.

“Right after the workshop, I met with the other officers of the NURSIHA. We brainstormed and thought of ideas that we could submit as a proposal to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). They have this grant that can provide us seed capital to start a business. Later on, we came up with a rice retail business proposal,” said Ortuyo.

The business proposal was approved during the first quarter of this year, amounting to Php 214,000.00 plus the Php 60,000 counterpart of the organization. It is one of the first social enterprises supported by the SMARTSeas PH Project that was successfully funded by another national government agency.

“Once we start earning with the rice retail business, we will ensure that the profit will go back to the MPA management cost as agreed with the SMARTSeas and the LGU. Although the LGU will continue to support us, we would like to ensure that despite administrative transitions, we can sustain the protection of the marine park sanctuary.” Ortuyo said.

The NURSIHA Enforcement Team does not stop here. They have another business proposal in the pipeline, so now they are awaiting DOLE’s approval, hopeful that their social enterprise will become the backbone of their MPA management in the years to come.

*Strengthening the Marine Protected Area System to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines Project (formerly known as the Marine Key Biodiversity Areas Project or MKBA) Towards a Healthier Environment: The MMC Vehicles

Donation Projectby Mary Edestin Henson As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has initiated a series of meetings with the DENR to discuss possible areas of collaboration on environmental programs and projects. It was on February 28, 2017 that such partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties.

Further to this MOU, MMC committed to donate ten (10) units of electric and hybrid vehicles to the DENR, comprised of five (5) I-MiEV and five (5) Outlander PHEV models. There will also be fast-charging stations to be installed within the premises of DENR Central Office, DENR-Cebu City and DENR-Davao City.

This partnership is aligned with the DENR’s vision of a nation, enjoying and sustaining its natural resources and clean and healthy environment. The vehicles donated by MMC shall be used in the joint study to measure the energy efficiency and ecological soundness of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Additionally, use of electric and hybrid vehicles could provide DENR Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones (left) and MMC President Osamu Masuko solution to the existing problem on air pollution where smoke (right) during the turn over Ceremony coming from vehicles such as jeepneys, tricycles and cars account for more than 80% of the air pollutants.

6 Release no. 10 April - June 2017 FASPS Updates Rediscovered butterfly boosts drive to declare forest reserve a national park by Berthold Schirm

The “Striped Ringlet,” a butterfly which can be found only in the eastern island province of Catanduanes, Philippines, was first discovered by a biologist in 1982. However, in the 2012 Philippine butterfly checklist, this butterfly species was not listed because scientists had no records of the species that year. Thanks to the team of Catanduanes Sustainable Ecosystems Development, Inc. (EcoDev), headed by lead biologist Dr. Estrella Placides and field researchers team leader, Ms. Shiela Conche, the Striped Ringlets has found its way back to the official listings.

EcoDev is a non-government organization (NGO) based in Catanduanes which is working a Striped Ringlet in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and provincial and local government units to implement conservation activities in Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve (CWFR), a protected area. The existence of the Striped Ringlets and at least eight other species have been reconfirmed by the team in 2016 next to the village of Pedro Vera (Summit). These were tagged as a new locality record in the reserve.

The area around Pedro Vera (Summit) serves as one of the sites for the Biodiversity Monitoring System of EcoDev. The NGO utilizes the results of the biodiversity assessment to support the Protected Area Management Board in updating the protected area management plan and in conducting awareness-raising campaigns in schools. They use the special butterfly species they found in Catanduanes as mascots for posters and slogan-making contests.

Last year, the DENR, provincial and local government units, and EcoDev together with Congressman Cesar Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes drafted a national bill for consideration in the Philippine Congress to declare the watershed forest reserve as Catanduanes National Park. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is supporting the conservation of the forest reserve in cooperation with DENR and EcoDev through the Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project. The project is funded through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Environment Ministry (BMUB). Its goal is to increase management effectiveness of not only one protected area such as this forest reserve, but to support more than 60 other protected areas all over the country.

German Embassy emphasizes importance of ecotourism to conserve biodiversity by Berthold Schirm, GIZ Protected Area Management Enhancement Project Principal Adviser

Deputy Head of Mission Michael Hasper of the German Embassy in the Philippines visited the province of Batanes on a two-day tour on 15-17 May 2017, joining the occasion of handover of an area management plan to Governor Marilou Cayco.

To see firsthand the abundance of biodiversity, Mr. Hasper hiked the trail of Mt. Iraya, a strict protection zone, and visited an existing marine protected area in Basco as well as two proposed marine protected areas in the neighboring island of Sabtang. He was impressed by the traditional fishing rules and regulations passed on by several generations of fishermen in Diura.

The management plan has been updated after 16 years in order to address current biodiversity and ecotourism issues and the need to maintain the unique biodiversity in Batanes and its value for sustainable tourism. The plan now serves as a useful reference and is harmonized with other important plans such as municipal plans (Comprehensive Land Use Plan), Provincial Physical Framework and Mr. Michael Hasper, (middle, in blue shirt) Deputy Head of Mission of the Development Plan, Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection German Embassy in the Philippines, handed over the management plan to Government of Batanes, represented by Governor Marilou Cayco. (middle, Plans and others. in white blouse) It has taken a joint effort of various stakeholders to update the plan, receiving significant contributions from the provincial government, municipal government, non-governmental organizations such as the Batanes Heritage Foundation, Inc., Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and private sector. More importantly, it has been supported over the past two years by the Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project.

The PAME Project is jointly implemented by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH, and financed by the Philippine and the German governments, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

The Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape is one of 240 protected areas collectively known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) in the Philippines. The PAME Project has been supporting the enhancement of the management of at least 60 NIPAS areas all over the country, helping to enhance protection of the natural wonders of the Philippines. In addition, the establishment of at least 100 new protected areas are ongoing. 7 FASPS Updates Release no. 10 April - June 2017 Biodiversity conservation leaders and practitioners celebrate IDB, showcase best practices and lessons in First National Biodiversity Congress by Anna Rita Saet

May 23-24, 2017, Quezon City – More than 500 leaders and practitioners The Congress witnessed the unveiling of the Philippine Biodiversity from about 180 civil society organizations, local governments, Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028 and the Philippines’ academic institutions, private sector, DENR central and field offices and Voluntary Commitments to the Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life environmental managers from all over the country gathered at the “First Below Water for the Ocean Conference, as well as the launching of the National Biodiversity Congress” held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria, for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP). Ms. the discourse on best practices, important lessons and insights from Antoinette Taus, actress-singer and UNDP advocate for SDG 14, emceed years of biodiversity conservation work in the Philippines. The event the ceremony. also coincided with the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. The Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) is the country’s blueprint in conserving biodiversity and was developed in close The Congress, which was spearheaded by the Biodiversity Management consultation with various sectors to ensure that it reflects and responds Bureau (BMB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the needs of biodiversity conservation and critical ecosystem services and BMB-implemented Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants at the international, national and local levels. It covers actions on forest, Programme (SGP), carried the theme “Upwelling of Lessons, Sustaining coastal and marine, inland wetlands, caves and cave systems, protected Community Benefits in the Conservation of Landscapes and Seascapes.” areas, invasive alien species, agrobiodiversity, access and benefit-sharing and urban biodiversity plan. This plan “reveals the financing gap of “The BMB is among the strongest partners of UNDP in the march towards implementing the PBSAP, estimated to be at least PhP334 billion or attaining the SDGs, particularly SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 11 (Sustainable PhP24 billion annually, until 2028,” said Ms. Anabelle Plantilla, Project Cities and Municipalities), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life below Water), Manager of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Project. and 15 (Life on Land). These SDGs represent the global consensus that biodiversity is essential to fighting poverty and ensuring humanity’s The Philippine Government’s Voluntary Commitments to the Sustainable resilience and perpetuity in the face of environmental and economic Development Goal 14: Life Below Water was presented at the Ocean challenges,” said UNDP Country Director Titon Mitra in his Opening Conference, held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 4-11 June Remarks read by UNDP’s Inclusive and Sustainable Development 2017, which aimed to be the game changer that would reverse the decline Programme Manager Floradema Eleazar. in the health of the world’s oceans.

More than 100 presentations were featured in the three-day event, packed The Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) is in nine plenary sessions and 30 breakout sessions tackling various aspects a 12-year (2017-2028) national program which aims to comprehensively of biodiversity conservation work in areas of protected area management, manage, address and effectively reduce the drivers and threats of landscapes and seascapes establishment and governance, building and degradation of the coastal and marine ecosystems to achieve and promote strengthening biodiversity-friendly enterprises, conservation financing, sustainability of ecosystem services, food security and climate change and building an inclusive biodiversity conservation community. Most resiliency, employing a ridge-to-reef management approach. of these presentations were by community-based practitioners and posited new ideas and technologies. They also drew out best practices, On the sideline of the event, the winners of the Selfie for Biodiversity lessons, and insights from government, international organizations 2017 photo contest, an annual competition organized by BMB and and civil society initiatives that include projects funded by the GIZ GmbH, were announced. With this year’s theme “Biodiversity and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), United Sustainable Tourism”, the contest challenged enthusiasts to capture scenes Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für showing and highlighting how biodiversity is connected to sustainable Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, United States Agency tourism or efforts to sustain biodiversity. The grand prize winners were for International Development (USAID), and the Foundation for the Marrise Tumampos for the selfie category and Mark Joseph Francisco for Philippine Environment (FPE). the non-selfie category.

“These presentations proved that we have achieved tremendously in Strengthening CSO participation and community biodiversity conservation but still need to do a lot more of working benefits and thinking. We are publishing the proceedings of the Congress with A consultative assembly was held to strategize the strengthening and sharp analyses as to how we can further improve practice, identifying deepening of the participation of civil society in the governance of the as a matter of course the appropriate policies that need to be in place to GEF System of Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) for the ensure significant impacts on ecosystems and people’s lives,” said Atty. Philippines. Jun Quicho, SGP-5 Country Programme Manager who also acted as overall Congress coordinator. (turn to the next page...)

8 Release no. 10 April - June 2017 FASPS Updates

(...continued from previous page) The Congress also featured an exhibition and marketing of biodiversity- based products of natural resource-dependent communities. FPE Executive Director Oliver Agoncillo and others emphasized the critical roles of civil society organizations in the GEF programming Biodiversity champions processes in order to ensure that funds are maximized and intended Speakers at the First National Biodiversity Congress included Senator results are achieved. Loren Legarda, Senator Cynthia Villar, Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Occidental Mindoro Representative Josephine Ramirez-Sato, The consultation led to the approval of GEF-CSO Network Roadmap. Undersecretary for Climate Change Service and Operational Focal Point for GEF Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, BMB Director Mundita Lim, Archbishop For 25 years now, the GEF has been one of the biggest contributors to the Antonio Ledesma, Dean Antonio La Viña, Prof. Pons Benagen, Climate Philippine Government’s efforts in meeting its commitments in various Change Commission Vice-Chairperson Frances Veronica Victorio, ,and international conventions in the areas of biodiversity, climate change, National Scientists Dr. Angel Alcala and Dr. Gavino Trono. international waters, chemicals and waste, forests, land degradation, and capacity-building. Under GEF Cycle 6 (2014-2018), the Philippines has “The International Day for Biological Diversity offers a timely reminder been allocated at least US$ 39 million, of which US$ 25 million need of the importance of effective management of a country’s natural wealth. to be approved for environmental projects before the end of the year. Few places in the world are as rich in biodiversity as the Philippines – From GEF cycles 1 to 5, a total of US$ 643 million national and regional considered as one of 17 mega-biodiverse countries, harboring more projects were implemented in the Philippines. diversity of life per hectare than any other country in the world,” BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim said. Philippine ICCA Project partners with INREMP by Gabriela Baron and Philippine ICCA Project PMU

Recognizing the need for greater cooperation in addressing some of the biggest threats to the country’s biodiversity, the Strengthening National Systems to Improve Governance and Management of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories Project (Philippine ICCA Project) recently teamed up with the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) to complement and strengthen each Project’s conservation efforts.

In a meeting held at the H100 Eco Lodge in Baguio City on May 3, 2017, stakeholders of the Philippine ICCA Project and INREMP convened to discuss plans and strategies to coordinate and harmonize similar efforts and activities, particularly in Tinglayan, Kalinga, a common Mr. Giovanni Reyes, convener of the ICCA Consortium site of both projects. The overarching theme of the discussion centered on avoiding duplication of efforts and confusion among communities given that both projects overlap in geographic coverage and objectives.

Meanwhile, one angle of cooperation that was looked at was the possibility for INREMP to extend financial support to the Philippine ICCA Project to fund activities such as community meetings, mapping, resource inventory, and planning, among others.

As a background, the Philippine ICCA Project is a four-year program that seeks to recognize the efforts of indigenous peoples (IP) in protecting the environment and conserving local biological diversity. On the other hand, INREMP aims to manage the upper river basins and component watersheds of the country by working with local government units, institutions, and upland communities.

More effective management of resources through traditional practices One of the speakers at the meeting was Mr. Giovanni Reyes, convener of the ICCA Consortium (BUKLURAN) and member of the Global Environment Facility – Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group. In his discussion of the IPs’ traditional and spiritual way of conservation, he shared that some indigenous peoples’ communities designate zones for settlements, hunting, and rituals. This would mean that an animal that entered a ritual site cannot be hunted. This practice has indirectly contributed to the conservation of animal species in the area.

Mr. Reyes pointed out the effectiveness of indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices (IKSPs) in biodiversity conservation. Citing studies from the World Bank (2009) and the Center for International Forestry Research, he emphasized that “traditional resource management practices by indigenous communities are more effective in protecting forests than in strict protected zones by the government” and that “levels of forest destruction are higher in areas that have been declared as strict protection zone by the government compared to the traditional conserved areas by the ICs.”

Regional Inter-Agency Committee met On May 4, 2017, the first Philippine ICCA Project in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC) meeting was held in the DENR-CAR Regional Office to plan for the upcoming activities of the project. Attended by the local officials of Ifugao, regional officials of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and representatives of local communities, the meeting was incidentally the first RIAC assembly among all the Philippine ICCA Project sites. 9 FASPS Updates Release no. 10 April - June 2017 FMP conducts workshop to During the three-day workshop’s write-shop session, participants used update its operations manual these experiences to introduce amendments to different sections of the by Paolo Balderia manual. These include updated operational procedures for project activities related to Survey, Mapping, and Planning; Community Organizing; Recognizing the need to update their project’s operations manual, technical Site Development; Agroforestry Support Facilities; Policy Initiatives for and financial officers of the Forestland Management Project (FMP) Watershed Management; Monitoring and Evaluation; Project Management; convened in a workshop on June 14 to 16, 2017 at the Hive Hotel and Financial Management; and Procurement Services. Convention Place in Quezon City. Through a plenary presentation, outputs of the participants were evaluated The workshop kicked off with an orientation on the rationale and importance for further improvement and fine-tuning. of having a document that would guide and harmonize the implementation of activities in FMP’s project sites. FMP’s operations manual was first conceived in 2012. The project underwent restructuring in 2014 and minor technical and financial reprogramming in Participants from FMP’s Field Implementing Units in CAR, Regions 2, 3, the years after, which necessitate updating of the operations manual. and 6 were briefed on the manual’s existing provisions and guidelines. This led to the discussion on the actual implementation issues experienced by FMP’s Focal Persons. Empowering Bohol’s FBS facilitators through cross-farm visits in Leyte and Samar by INREMP/Ma. Theresa Corazon Ladrera

Facilitators of Farmer Business School (FBS), people’s organizations (POs), and Bohol-based staff of the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) conducted cross visits to demo farms in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar between May 30 and June 2, 2017 to observe firsthand and gain understanding of root and tuber crops production in the context of agroforestry.

The Project is piloting the FBS agroforestry approach in Wahig-Inabanga Watershed of Bohol using experiences of the program Food Resilience through Root and Tuber Crops in Upland and Coastal Communities of the Asia Pacific (FoodSTART+) as a guide. This program is implemented by the International Potato Center (IPC) and is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). INREMP is also funded in part by IFAD.

Lending its expertise on Philippine root and tuber crops, the Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) based in the Visayas State University (VSU) introduced participants to various operations of root crop production, good manufacturing process, and food safety handling for micro and small enterprises.

The activity afforded participants an opportunity to see for themselves the binagol (from giant taro) and sagmani (from taro) processing facilities in Dagami, Food Innovations Center at the Eastern Visayas State University, root and tuber crops nursery plantation and fruit trees farms in Ormoc City, and VSU’s clonal tree nursery and good manufacturing process-compliant facility. They also held dialogues with the members of Kusog han Kababayen-an an Salcedo (KAKASA), Eastern Samar Entre-Pinoy Workers’ Association, Inc. (ESEP), Alyansang Samahan para sa Kaunlaran at Pangkabuhayan ng Barangay Gahoy (ASAPKAPA), Farmer’s Visit to PhilRootCrops root and tuber crops (RTCs) experimental Entrepreneurs Association (FEA), and Santa Rita Food Processors Association, farm in Baybay City and in the process learned good practices and processing technologies adopted by these people’s organizations.

demonstrations on cassava food processing lecture on agro-forestry with RTCs models 10 Release no. 10 April - June 2017 FASPS Updates Putting Naujan Lake National Park in nurturing and capable hands: women and the sustainable management of nature at the local level by Angelique Ogena, BIOFIN Information and Communications Assistant

I met Raquel and Donna in a workshop back in May 2017. Both women are holding local government positions in charge of managing the Naujan Lake National Park (NLNP). In the workshop, local conservation practitioners like Raquel and Donna trained in the sustainable management of NLNP. Part of their work was to develop conservation and income- generating programs for their respective municipalities in support to the *Biodiversity Finance Initiative’s (BIOFIN) localization activities. The localization takes place both in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro provinces. The municipalities of Oriental Mindoro surrounding the NLNP, Raquelita “Raquel” M. Umali, 56 years Engr. Donna Angeline Cantos-Valdez, including Naujan, were selected as pilot sites. 34 years old, Project Development old, Municipal Planning and Development Officer, Province of Oriental Mindoro Coordinator, Municipality of Naujan

NLNP is the fifth largest lake in the Philippines covering 22,548 hectares, which translates to 24 barangays in four municipalities. Located in the northeastern part of Mindoro Island, it is recognized as one of the six Philippine sites in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

First declared as a protected area in March 27, 1956, NLNP is an initial component of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) established through Republic Act No. 7586 in 1992.

The protected area harbors 613 plant species, 72% of which are indigenous. At least two plant species are endemic to Mindoro Island, while 37 species are endemic to the Philippines. Fourteen species are included in The National List of Threatened Philippine Plants and their Categories and in the 2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Four species are in the Critically Endangered category, two in the Endangered category, and seven in the Vulnerable category.

NLNP is also home to several water birds, mammals (including the Philippine endemic musky fruit bat), and an endangered freshwater crocodile. The lake itself is known for several fish species, two of which are classified as globally threatened (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). These are the Stenogobius sp. (Critically Endangered) and Puntiushemictenus (Vulnerable).

Among the major issues in NLNP are the conversion of forests for agricultural use and the booming population of park occupants. These factors cause siltation and pollution to the lake, affecting the integrity of the park’s natural resources. The need to address such issues presents an opportunity for women to take part in managing protected areas.

The indispensable role of women in protected areas’ sustainable management According to Hill Rojas in Working with Community-Based Conservation with a Gender Focus: A Guide. Based on a mid-term evaluation of the Parks in Peril Project (1999), women are innately community leaders, organizing events and passing on environmental messages to other members of family and communities. Women also often manage household natural resources such as plants and fuel wood, for example, on a daily basis.

“If we want to achieve the real development in our area, we need to invest on women. The strength and dedication of women can transform the future generation,” said Donna Angeline Valdez, Provincial Project Development Officer of Oriental Mindoro.

Moreover, several studies have found that incorporating gender as a tool for protected areas and natural resources conservation and sustainable use renders positive effects, such as: • helping break stereotypes which restrict or limit recruitment of human assets for conservation, such as the belief that women are less capable than men; • resolving conflicts of interest in the definition and management of protected areas, by recognizing the different interests and priorities of men and women; and, • ensuring that women’s and men’s traditional rights over resources use in protected areas are not diminished through time as environmental projects and programs are developed.

“Women have a critical role in biodiversity management. They should be partners of men in promoting any kinds of activities relating to the Naujan Lake protected area,” shared Raquelita “Raquel” Umali, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of Naujan.

The on-going localization work of BIOFIN in Oriental Mindoro, particularly for the municipalities surrounding NLNP will result to concrete conservation plans that are supportive of the country’s national biodiversity targets. Women in conservation, such as Raquel and Donna, are vital in not only the planning phase, but also in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of these programs.

*BIOFIN seeks to close the financing gap for biodiversity conservation by developing a methodology to quantify financing needs and piloting solutions to increase investments. 11 SNAPSHOT News Capability Building for Project Proposal Preparation by Mary Edestin Henson

In line with the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service’s mandate of identifying, preparing project proposals for local and foreign funding and promoting investment projects in the environment and natural resources, the Project Preparation Division spearheaded the conduct of “Training cum Writeshop for the Preparation of Project Proposals for Local and Foreign Funding” PENRO Guimaras conducts orientation on the for the Mindanao Cluster on June 14-16, 2017 in Davao City. establishment of IPAF for TINMR by Liza Cabungcal, The writeshop aimed to enhance the current capability of the DENR staff on project preparation TINMR Field Staff and PASU Rhett Arthur Diana, Terence Dacles process and ensure that the Department would have readily available proposals for submission GIZ PAME Regional Coordinator for Region 6 (Western Visayas) to the various local and international funding institutions. It was clearly reiterated during the writeshop that the proposals should not include regular activities of the Department, and should May 31, 2017 – With the assistance of the Department of Environment and be aligned with the DENR’s thrust and priorities as well as the Philippine Development Plan and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office and the Department of Budget Ambisyon 2040. and Management (DBM), the Guimaras Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) conducted an orientation workshop on The participants of the writeshop included representatives from PENR Offices, focal persons of the the establishment of Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF) for Taklong River Basins Control Office (RBCO) and DENR regions IX, X, XI, XII and XIII. Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR). Workshop participants included staff of the protected area, personnel of local government unit (LGU), Through the conduct of this learning event, the participants were able to apply their gained members of Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), and people’s knowledge through a hands-on-training on concept proposal development. Sixteen (16) project organizations involved in the ecotourism activities such as La Paz Motor proposals which have the potential for funding under the special projects or foreign assistance have Boat Association and La Paz Fisherfolks Aquatic Resources and Mangrove been generated as tangible result. Management Association. The seminar was a re-echo of the previous IPAF workshop held in Davao last April and formed an integral part of Writeshops for Luzon and Visayas clusters will also be conducted on July 11-13 and August 8-10, programmed activities of Protected Area Management Enhancement 2017, respectively. (PAME) Project.

IPAF is a trust fund mandated by the National Integrated Protected Areas DENR and System (NIPAS) Act, as amended by Republic Act 10629, and is composed European of all earnings generated by the PA under a Special Account in the General Union Fund (SAGF). The latest DENR-DBM circular indicated that the PAMB can retain 75 percent and remit only 25 percent of the IPAF to the National Launches Treasury. Real-Time Philippines: National Conference on Natural Capital Accounting Air Quality Monitoring Present during the launching program were [from left to right] The Philippine government, in partnership with the World Bank, senior science expert Dr. Jeurgen Bischoff, EU SWITCH team System held a multi-stakeholder National Conference on Natural Capital leader Dr. Channa Gunawardena, DENR Assistant Secretary by Charis Anatalan Accounting (NCA) last March 30-31, 2017 in Manila. Rommel Abesamis, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen, and NAMRIA Director Peter Tiangco June 1, 2017 – The The conference consolidated the extensive data compilation and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and European Union analytical work over the five years since the World Bank Wealth (EU) launched the Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring System at the NAMRIA Complex, Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES) technical assistance was launched in the Philippines. Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. This 3.5-million-Euro programme is part of the technical assistance extended by the EU to the Philippines and is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan. The theme of the Conference was “Accounting Nature: Capitalizing The EU supported the generation of real-time data on air quality for the Metro Manila airshed Partnerships for the Future”. Participants included high-level by developing methodologies and real-time data transmission approaches and software. government officials and a cross section of civil society organizations, non-government organizations, academe and the private sector from From this collaboration, real-time data on the Air Quality Index (AQI) is made available the Philippines and other WAVES member countries. throughout Metro Manila and is accessible at www.airqualitymanila.com. The AQI Values for criteria pollutants will enable public authorities to monitor air quality, propose actions that (See full story at https://www.wavespartership.org/en/philippines- protect public health at different AQI levels, and formulate effective air quality management holds-national-conference-natural-capital-accounting) strategies.

FASPS Updates Published quarterly by the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). FASPS serves as the focal point for generating and managing additional resources and facilitating partnerships to complement regular programs, discover new techniques and approaches, and pilot new ideas and innovations to improve efficiency of ENR services.

Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City Web (FASPS) http://fasps.denr.gov.ph Telefax: 926-8052 Email:[email protected]