FASPS Updates

The official newsletter of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service Release no. 11 July-September 2017 PROTECTING THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN RANGE THROUGH CRITICAL HABITAT

Portion of Natural Park (SNP) connecting to the forest of the municipality of ESTABLISHMENT San Remigio being proposed as a Critical Habitat in | PAGE 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FMP impresses JICA with project achievements | DENR-EMB launches the “Development of the Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) in the ” Project | Lower Sierra Madre Grantees gather for the 2nd Annual Conference; “Amaya: Sa Pusod Ng Kagubatan” launched

BIOFIN Philippines, Bhutan engage in south-TO- PH, Germany consolidate good practices in managing TO-south exchange for biodiversity | page 4 sixty existing protected areas all over the PH | page 10 FASPS Updates Release no. 11 July - September 2017

Table of Contents

Protecting the CPMR Through CH Establishment 4 EDITORIAL Director Edwin G. Domingo BIOFIN Philippines, Bhutan engage in south-to-south exchange 4 to advance finance solutions for biodiversity conservation It is important to monitor whether projects are performing efficiently and demonstrating concrete contribution to DENR’s mandate. We must not only be able to identify areas of project success and failure; BIOFIN-UNDP, UP Pi Sigma during performnce checks, we should also constantly search for added values, best practices and lessons Fraternity hold a debate on 6 learned for the creation and reference of future projects. To do all of this, good coordination among mobilizing biodiversity financing project-involved offices must be established. from unconventional sources This August, FASPS held a Midyear Performance Review of the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects, Bike race for biodiversity in Panay back-to-back with a formal revisiting of the Logical Framework Matrices of the Forestland Management Island, Philippines 7 Project (FMP) and the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP). With a few representatives from the regional offices and local government units present, the Performance DENR-EMB launches the Review became a venue for replenishing synergies and valuable information sharing. As a result, urgent “Development of the Minamata necessary actions for projects and matters of improved overall management processes of such were Initial Assessment (MIA) in the 8 identified and prioritized during the forum. Philippines” Project Training programs, for instance, are to be formulated to address the needs of the field officers and in Lower Sierra Madre Grantees gather alignment to Secretary Roy Cimatu’s focus on enhancing and capacitating PENROs and CENROs. The for the 2nd Annual Conference; quality of capacitation at the local level greatly reflects the long-term project impact. The post-project “Amaya: Sa Pusod Ng Kagubatan” 9 initiative of the locals in project sites at generating livelihood and income through gained skills from the launched capacity-building activities is one good indicator of project sustainability. PH, Germany consolidate good practices in managing 60 existing protected areas all over the PH – at 10 least 56 new areas declared FMP impresses JICA with project achievements FASPS News by Paolo Balderia FASPS attends workshop on sectoral policy gaps analysis 11 The Forestland Management Project (FMP) in Region VI received commendation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its outstanding performance in implementing its project Snapshot News activities. Collaborative Energies Convene for Groundbreaking Ceremony 12 Ms. Ayumu Ohshima, JICA Senior Representative, was impressed with what she learned from the JICA field visit to FMP sites in on July 26 – 28, 2017. FASPS participate in the 32nd ICC in Celebration of the Coastal Month 12 During the exit conference of the JICA visit, Ms. Ohshima admitted that her knowledge about FMP was limited to what she read in the documents, but the meetings and dialogues with stakeholders have FMP trains staff for roll out of provided her a good grasp of the Project’s direction in achieving its targets. community enterprises 12 (continue to next page)

Editorial Adviser Associate Managing Editors Atty. Jonas R. Leones, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Joel B. Abunda | Sheela V. Legaspi International Affairs Content Coordinator Editor-in-Chief Alma P. Estrada | Sheela V. Legaspi Edwin G. Domingo, Over All Director, Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service Layout Artists Laarni V. Marciano | Sheela V. Legaspi Screening and Editing Board Eddie B. Abugan, Jr. | Conrado A. Bravante, Jr. | Contributors Imelda R. dela Cruz Frances Mara Mendoza/ REDD+ | Léa Lacan/GIZ | Efrelyn Escultura- Calabano, Tanggol Kalikasan Inc./SGP5 | Ruth Martinez | Paolo Managing Editor Balderia | Angelique Ogena/UP Pi Sigma Fraternity | John Carlo Jeslina B. Gorospe Aguado | PMU of the MIA Project 2 Release no. 11 July - September 2017 FASPS Updates

FMP IMPRESSES JICA (...continued from previous page) Migration to peri-urban areas is common for people living in upland “My knowledge of this project was pretty limited. But talking with the rural communities. They flock to cities to find jobs that will sustain the partners, as well as the SUSIMO (Sub-watershed Site Management needs of their families. However, the case for Hilwan started Office) members and also the PO (People’s Organization) members, I to change when FMP was introduced. was quite confident that this project was maybe a little bit delayed, but I think it’s on the right track, and it’s making people lives better,” said “Bumalik na yung population namin at nadagdagan pa yung household Ms. Ohshima. population namin. Ngayon, hindi na rin sila nahihirapang maghanap ng trabaho kung paano nila papaaralin ang kanilang mga anak. (Our Ms. Ohshima was referring to the small delay encountered by FMP population has gone back to normal and our household population has Region VI in completing its targets for 2016 under the Project’s Site actually increased. Now, they no longer experience problems in finding Development component. a job and how they will sustain their children’s schooling,)” Dalupines testified. According to Forester Antonio Latoza, Focal Person of the FMP Provincial Project Management Office (PPMO), the delay could be However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for FMP as some of the POs attributed to the additional area for site development, which was experienced struggles in implementing its activities. Some community contracted in the 3rd Quarter of 2016. members expressed resistance due to misconceptions about the Project. “Plantation establishment is very dependent on the season. The planting Ms. Jovie Camarig, Barangay Captain and PO President of Binolosan activity will be this year,” explained Forester Latoza. Pequeño Upland Farmers Association, said: “Hindi naging madali sa amin ang magkumbinsi ng kapwa naming IP. May agam-agam sa bawat Selecting an appropriate planting period for different site development isa. Hindi talaga nawawala yun. Baka kasi balang araw kapag na-develop modalities is crucial for their survival. In 2016, seedlings were not na yung ridor namin baka kukunin na ng gobyerno (It wasn’t easy for planted in the last quarter of the year due to the extremities brought by us to convince our fellow IP members. They have qualms to everyone. the Philippine climate. It’s inevitable. They think that someday the government will claim the lands they developed).” Since the start of the Project’s plantation establishment activities in 2014, FMP Region VI has so far attained 35% or about 4,000 hectares out of its But Ms. Camarig knew that this was not true and that they would have target of 11,500 hectares. It continues to complete its remaining targets full ownership of the areas they developed. This did not stop her and for the succeeding years. members of their PO from accomplishing their targets. They were still able to finish the contracted areas assigned to them. They expressed full Ms. Ohshima expressed confidence that the project will catch up with commitment to the Project until its completion. its targets in the remaining terms of its operation. Ms. Ohshima was personally moved by the stories shared by the POs. Validating FMP Sites in Calinog She also acknowledged the struggles experienced by them in order to Part of the JICA visit to Region VI was a validation activity in the FMP’s accomplish the project targets. agroforestry plantation under the Sub-watershed Site Management Office (SUSIMO) in Calinog, Iloilo. She expressed her confidence that the POs would fully realize their potential and thus continue to develop even after FMP reached Here, Ms. Ohshima was joined by representatives of the FMP Central completion. Project Management Office and the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service in inspecting some of the coffee plantation established by the FMP-assisted People’s Organization (PO).

Representatives of the FMP-assisted PO had a chance to meet with Ms. Ohshima and share their experiences in the implementation of the Project.

Ms. Narcisa Dalupines, President of the Hilwan Indigenous People’s Group, shared how the lack of employment opportunities in their community resulted in her neighbors seeking better jobs in the city.

“Lumiit yung population ng barangay namin. Pumupunta yung mga tao sa bayan. Doon na sila tumitira dahil nagpapa-aral sila ng kanilang mga anak (The population of our barangay dwindled. JICA Senior Representative Ayumu Ohshima expresses her gratitude for the unrelentless support People migrate to city centers. They settle of people’s organizations to the Forestland Management Project (FMP), during the JICA field visit in there since they need to work on their child’s Calinog, Iloilo. John Narag, Chief of the Bilateral Assistance Division, International Finance Group, schooling),” she shared. Department of Finance also joined the field visit.

3 FASPS Updates Release no. 11 July - September 2017

COVER FEATURE: PROTECTING THE CPMR THROUGH CH ESTABLISHMENT by Ruth Martinez The Central Panay Mountain Range (CPMR) is one of the key biodiversity areas in the country and home to a number of endemic species. Their survival depends on the sustainable management of the forest. So far, efforts to unite the four provinces surrounding the CPMR to proclaim it a protected area and include it in the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) have not materialized.

In the absence of a formal management system in many areas of the CPMR, the Forest and Climate Protection in Panay Phase II (ForClim II) Project, which is supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, encourages a more decentralized and localized management system by establishing a critical habitat (CH) area.

ForClim II envisions a well-connected system of CHs managed by local government units (LGUs) working together. To achieve this objective, the project has assisted LGUs to formulate Forest Land Use Plans (FLUP) that integrate the establishment and management of CH into FLUP zoning and management strategies. As of today, eight (8) CHs were declared in the provinces of , Antique and Iloilo by respective partner LGUs.

Name of Critical Habitat Locality Total Area Declared (in Ordinance/Res. No. hectares) Ueo It Bueabod Critical Libacao, Aklan 1,500.60 Res. No. 2017-045 Habitat Ibajay Critical Habitat Ibajay, Aklan 2,169.25 Res. No. 2017-052 Sebaste Critical Habitat Sebaste, Antique 3,438.00 Mun. Ord. 2017-02 Critial Habitat for Rafflesia Barbaza, Antique 16.00 Res. No. 2013-91 speciosa Laua-an Critical Habitat Laua-an, Antique 3,000.00 Mun. Ord. 2014-02 Valderrama Critical Valderrama, Antique 9,664.61 Mun. Ord. 2014-01 Habitat Igpaho Natural Forest Tubungan, Iloilo 101.39 Res. No. 2016-136 Critical Habitat Tinagong Dagat Critical Lambunao, Iloilo 3,032.99 Res. No. 20014-022 Habitat Critical Habitat Establishment in the CPMR by location. Source: GIZ

CHs can only make sustainable contributions to biodiversity conservation if they are interconnected. Therefore, the project encourages LGUs to collaborate and establish connectivity between their CHs. The Sibalom, Antique LGU for instance, has established a biodiversity corridor that connects its protected area to the forest area of the San Remigio, Antique LGU. In Antique, similar efforts are being supported by ForClim II.

CH can complement the current system of protected areas in the Philippines, enhancing ecological representation, landscape/seascape connectivity and buffer zone safeguards. In the absence of a protected area designation for the CPMR, the establishment of a locally-managed system of well-connected critical habitats is a viable alternative. BIOFIN Philippines, Bhutan engage in south-to-south exchange to advance finance solutions for biodiversity conservation by Angelique Ogena

Manila, Philippines – The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) in Bhutan visited Manila under a south-to-south exchange workshop with the Philippines. Led by Norbu Wangchuk of the Gross National Happiness Commission (Planning), the Bhutan delegation comprised key officials FPE Executive Director Oliver Agoncillo listens to Sigyel Delma of Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forest from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, and UNDP Bhutan.

4 Release no. 11 July - September 2017 FASPS Updates BIOFIN Philippines, Bhutan engage in south-south exchange to advance finance solutions... (...continued from previous page)

BIOFIN contributes to closing the financing gap for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity by identifying, accessing, combining and sequencing sources of biodiversity funding. It is a global initiative being implemented in thirty-one (31) countries, including the Philippines and Bhutan. It explores a wide range of finance solutions and provides guidance to countries on how to implement these to achieve national biodiversity targets. In the Philippines’ case, national targets are embodied in the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028.

The delegation had an opportunity to exchange learnings not only with the BIOFIN Philippines team with regards to the implementation of the BIOFIN methodology, but also with the latter’s key government and non-government organization partners. Armida Andres, Chief of the Biodiversity Policy and Knowledge Management Division, and Angelita Meniado, Overall Coordinator of Foreign-Assisted Projects of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, shared with the group how BIOFIN’s work in the Philippines impacts on the government’s John Narag, Chief of the Bilateral Assistance Division, policy and planning processes, especially among the bureaus of the Department of International Finance Group, Department of Finance Environment and Natural Resources.

Director Helen Habulan of the Department of Finance (DOF) Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) gladly shared with Bhutan delegation MDFO’s work with and financial assistance to LGUs in the Philippines. The MDFO was created through Presidential Decree No. 1914 is a special revolving fund for re-lending to Local Government Units (LGUs). It enables LGUs to avail of financial assistance from local and international sources for the implementation of various social and economic development projects, including environment and biodiversity projects.

In addition, John Narag, Chief of the Bilateral Assistance Division under the International Finance Group of DOF, shared with BIOFIN Bhutan its experience in facilitating a debt-for-nature swap between the Philippines and the governments of the United States of America and Italy.

“I have never heard about debt swap before. It is very interesting to see that interest payment for loans are being waived off so that the [debtor country] can spend it for biodiversity and environment conservation works. It is a very good strategy for financing conservation activities which can support both biodiversity and livelihoods,” said Sigyel Delma of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests of Bhutan.

As a result of the debt-for-nature swap between the Philippines and USA, the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) and Forest Foundation for the Philippines (FFP) were created. The FPE was also created out of the efforts initiated by non-government organizations with support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Philippine Development Forum, governments of the the Philippines and US. The FPE provides financial assistance to strengthen and support NGOs, peoples’ organizations (PO) and communities to enable them to be agents of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Similarly, the Forest Foundation for the Philippines is a non-government organization that provides grants and technical assistance to projects aiming FFP Executive Director Jose Andres Canivel explains FFP’s works to to conserve, maintain or restore tropical forests in the Philippines. The BIOFIN Bhutan organization has been established under two bilateral agreements between the governments of USA and Philippines under the US Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA). Jigme Dorji of UNDP Bhutan remarked that he was “deeply impressed with the role played by the non- governmental organizations,” such as the FFP and FPE. “The Government of Bhutan may like to explore a mechanism to empower the local NGOs so that they can reach out to local people more effectively in the areas of biodiversity conservation/promotion at the grassroots level,” he added.

South-to-south exchange initiatives enable BIOFIN countries to learn from respective experiences in terms of implementing the BIOFIN methodology. Bhutan is among the BIOFIN countries that are currently at the early stages of the BIOFIN implementation while the Philippines is at the advanced stages. Learnings from the exchanges will guide Bhutan’s prioritization of finance solutions given their current context and needs. It will also provide direction for their business case development and pilot project implementation. The Philippines presented a variety of finance solutions to Bhutan during the south-south exchange. 5 FASPS Updates Release no. 11 July - September 2017 BIOFIN-UNDP, UP Pi Sigma Fraternity hold a debate on mobilizing biodiversity financing from unconventional sources by Angelique Ogena and photo credits to UP Pi Sigma Fraternity

September 8, 2017, College of Law, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, City – For the second consecutive year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), partnered with UP’s Pi Sigma Fraternity in holding the 30th Annual Open Debate Tournament. The yearly debate competition, which is the longest-running in the Philippines, discusses pressing and controversial issues of the day, as well as new ideas and proposed innovative solutions to social, economic or environmental concerns. This year’s debate topics included urgent and relevant environmental issues, the themes for the elimination round. Up for discourse were proposals on the feasibility of mobilizing financing for biodiversity conservation from various sources such as: 1) income from the automobile excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act; 2) accrual and use of royalties collected from bioprospecting; 3) compensation for the harmful fishing practices of foreign fishing vessels San Beda Law at the affirmative side and the Enrique Voltaire Garcia Debate Society at the in the Scarborough Shoal; and 4) the shift from mining to negative side for the match on accrual of royalties from bioprospecting sustainable tourism development.

The tournament was formally opened by Ms. Floradema Eleazar, Team Leader of the Inclusive and Sustainable Development Unit of UNDP. She highlighted the importance of this activity as arguments and ideas raised in the debates would contribute to the drafting or refinement of enabling legislation or implementing guidelines relating to biodiversity conservation and financing. She ended her talk by reiterating that “the UNDP appreciates this partnership as we are one with Pi Sigma Fraternity in its principle of Service to the Community.”

Dr. Vincent Hilomen of the Biodiversity Management Bureau echoed the same thought in his opening message and highlighted the need for students to engage in such activities. He said that these would enable them to know and appreciate biodiversity around them more and see its relation and impact to current national affairs.

Prof. Jerwin Agpaoa, UP Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, cited in his remarks that students, when made aware of the issues happening around them, would become confident and well-equipped to give their take and stand on matters such as the debate participants.

Ms. Eleazar said that UNDP hoped that annual debates such as of UP Pi Sigma’s would continue to carry relevant environmental issues to the fore and that the arguments brought forth during such events would contribute to the policy making process of the government. Last year, the debate delved on the feasibility of using the Malampaya fund – which represents the royalties collected by the government from the Malampaya gas project off Island – for biodiversity conservation. Arguments that were born out of the debate have paved the way for BIOFIN to push for the tapping of the said fund. As a tangible result, Congresswoman Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Representative from the Lone District of – in close coordination with BIOFIN – introduced in the House of Representatives House Bill (HB) No. 4604 before the end of 2016. HB 4604 was referred to the House Committee on Energy on December 13, 2016 and Cong. Sato sponsored it at the House Committee on Energy hearing on August 22, 2017. HB 4604 has a long way to go before it is signed into law, but activities such as this debate has proved to be instrumental in advocating for biodiversity financing.

Around 250 individuals attended this year’s elimination round with debate teams representing student organizations from well-known universities. Spectators were from various sectors including law, college and high school students from within Metro Manila.

BIOFIN contributes to closing the financing gap for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by identifying, accessing, combining and sequencing sources of biodiversity funding to finance the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), the country’s roadmap to conserving biodiversity. The PBSAP implementation costs PhP24B/ year or PhP334B from 2015-2028. However, public expenditure was estimated at only P4.9B/year thus revealing a gap of almost PhP19B. Several finance solutions to address the gap were identified and are being piloted by BIOFIN at present. DENR Usec. Maria Paz Luna of DENR announces the winner for the final match on mining vs. sustainable ecotourism 6 Release no. 11 July - September 2017 FASPS Updates Bike race for biodiversity in Panay Island, Philippines by Léa Lacan and photo credits to GIZ Panay Island, Philippines – The Forest and Climate Protection in Panay Phase II (ForClim II) Project, which is jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines, supported the Autajay Aningalan Ascent bike race organized by the Antique Mountain Bikers Association (AMBA) Inc. to promote biodiversity conservation in the Central Panay Mountain Range and to strengthen cooperation between a civil society group and the public sector – represented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) – to successfully implement biodiversity conservation.

Championing biodiversity conservation The event took place in the province of Antique under the theme “Race, Restore and Reconnect” and was designed specifically to trigger biodiversity awareness and raise funds for the establishment of a biodiversity corridor to connect the discontinuous forests of the Central Panay Mountain Range. More than one hundred eighty (180) bikers participated in two Bike race start bike races over two days.

Several officials supported the awareness campaign. German Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Gordon Kricke in fact joined the bike race.

Governor Rhodora Cadiao of Antique along with DENR officials from Region VI and LGU officials from San Remigio were also in attendance.

Former Ms. Earth England 2015 Katrina Kendall, who is now an environmentalist and protected area ambassador, was on hand to grace the activities.

Advocating for biodiversity conservation, the event included a tree-planting activity in the Aningalan Watershed Area, as well as an information and education campaign in barangay (village) Osorio II.

Moreover, coinciding with the International Biological Diversity Day, a photo contest with the theme “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism” was organized as well.

Reconnecting forests: a civil society and public sector partnership

The bike race has been organized by the Antique Mountain Bikers Association (AMBA) Inc., and from the start, has received backing from the LGU of San Remigio and barangay Aningalan.

Since last year, however, DENR and GIZ has extended support to the race through the ForClim II Project. As a result, the bike race event has been able to pool more resources to finance a biodiversity corridor connecting the forest of the Sibalom Natural Park in the province of Antique with the contiguous forest of the Central Panay Mountain Range.

The biodiversity corridor aims to link forests that have been separated by man-made forest deforestation and forest degradation. Discontinuity of the forest cover has a negative impact on biodiversity as it isolates populations of animal and plant species and jeopardizes their viability. Hence, establishing a corridor between isolated patches of forest and connectivity between protected areas is key for the conservation of the species of the Central Panay Mountain Range, in particular the “big five” threatened endemic species of Panay Island - the Visayan writhed-hornbill (Aceros waldeni), the Visayan spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons), the Panay Monitor Lizard (Varanus mabitang), and species of the parasitic plant genus RafflesiaR. ( lobata and R. speciosa)

Thanks to the joint efforts of AMBA and the public sector, the first trees of (left to right) Ms. Margie Gadian, Provincial Consultant on Peace and and Order and the corridor have already been planted after last year’s bike race, and the Public Safety of Antique; Emmanuel Salvosa, Senior Advisor ForClim II; Jose Ramlo implementation of project will continue with funds from the 2017 event. Villaluna, Antique Provincial Tourism Officer; Dr. Gordon Kricke, Ambassador Federal Republic of Germany; Katrina Kendall, Ms. Earth England 2015; Dr. Klaus Schmitt, Principal Advisor ForClim II and Dr. Earl Autajay, President of Antique Mountain Bikers Association, Inc. 7 FASPS Updates Release no. 11 July - September 2017 DENR-EMB launches the “Development of the Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) in the Philippines” Project by PMU of the MIA Project

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), as the implementing body of the Philippine Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) Project held the National Launch of the project on July 26, 2017.

The MIA project is a multi-country project, implemented by the Philippines, Pakistan, and Cambodia; financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the UN Environment as the implementing agency. The goal of this project is to 1) strengthen national decision-making toward the ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and 2) build national capacities toward the Key sectors and partners will work together for the immediate ratification of the Minamata Convention implementation of future obligations.

Ms. Elvira Pausing, Project Coordinator of the MIA Project formally welcomed and opened the activity in behalf of the In-charge, Office of the Director and concurrent Assistant Director, Jacqueline Caancan. She mentioned that the Minamata Convention is a global treaty which highlights the urgent need for the global community to control, and on some cases to prohibit the extraction, manufacture, use, trade, storage and disposal of mercury, mercury compounds, and products containing and contaminated with mercury. This project attempts to minimize – if not eliminate – anthropogenic emissions and releases to various media that lead to environmental degradation and hazardous human exposure. She also stressed that this project is an integral part of our country’s efforts to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of mercury. Speaking on behalf of the Undersecretary for Planning, Policy and International Affairs, Undersecretary Jonas Leones, Forester Conrad Bravante Jr. from the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Services of DENR delivered the Inspirational Message. He mentioned the importance of joining the global community in dealing with the health and environmental issues from mercury and its uses. He also express his full support to the activities lined up for the preparation of the MIA project which is in line with the Department’s thrust to endorse the ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Atty. Richard Gutierrez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ban Toxics, explained about Mercury and the Minamata Convention. He cited that the main source of mercury is the primary metal production, which includes Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM). The presentation illustrated the movement of mercury in the environment, impacts of mercury to human health, and an overview of the Minamata Convention. He emphasized the importance for the Philippines to ratify the Minamata Convention as soon as possible, so that the country can actively negotiate the methods on how to address the issue, and avoid becoming the dumping ground of waste mercury. Engr. Teddy Monroy, MIA Project Consultant, explained about the Philippine Minamata Initial Assessment. He mentioned that the aim of the project is to facilitate the ratification and early implementation of the Minamata Convention through the use of scientific and technical knowledge and tools by national stakeholders. The increased readiness of the country to ratify the Minamata Convention and improved capacities to prepare and meet the Convention obligations were identified as the expected outcomes. Engr. Monroy also showed the significant elements of the project, proposed outline of the report, project activities, and timelines for the output and milestones.

Local government officials from Palawan and provided information on the current situation of the ASGM and contaminated mining areas in their jurisdiction, as well as the interventions and rehabilitation efforts. Speakers respond to questions and concerns on Mercury Policies and Programs

8 Release no. 11 July - September 2017 FASPS Updates

DENR-EMB Launches... (continued from previous page)

Fish and shellfish in the Palawan site still have high levels of mercury while the ones in Camarines Norte are deemed safe. Meanwhile, there are still areas with released mercury in the soil exceeds DENR standards in both municipalities. The assessment of mercury level in the Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. site was suggested.

Members of the civil society and industry also shared their efforts for environmentally sound management of mercury and mercury wastes. BanToxics and EcoWaste Coalition reported their activities including research and publication contributions to the prevention of mercury pollution. The International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology-Philippine Chapter has mercury-free dentistry trainings and on-going projects to minimize the use of dental amalgam. While the Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (CCIP) recommends following the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive trace limits on heavy metals as guidelines for cosmetic products, and to comply with good manufacturing practice on those traces of heavy metals in cosmetics.

Government agencies, namely: Department of Health (DOH)–Food and Drug Administration (FDA), DOH–Health Facility Development Bureau (HFDB), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Department of Education School Division Office, EMB-Environmental Quality Management Division (EQMD) gave updates on their respective Mercury Policies and Programmes.

Engr. Monroy then presented the “Creation of the MIA National Steering Committee (NSC) and Technical Working Group (TWG)”. He explained the proposed functions, and member agencies of the NSC and Inter-Agency TWG. The responsibilities of the TWG Sub-Committees and EMB secretariat were also enumerated. These were accepted by the participants with some suggestions to decrease the number of proposed NSC members. The NSCs and TWGs can take over later on after the MIA project in case the government wants to work further on the issue. Lower Sierra Madre Grantees Gather for the 2nd Annual Conference; Amaya Sa Pusod ng Kagubatan, Launched by Efrelyn Escultura-Calabano, Tanggol Kalikasan Inc./SGP5 Malolos, - Representatives of people’s organizations (POs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from , , , and Quezon Provinces comprising the Lower Sierra Madre Hub recently participated in the 2nd Annual Lower Sierra Madre Hub Conference with its theme “Kaugnay ka ng Sierra Madre, Makiisa, Makibahagi, Kumilos na!”. The conference was held at the Bulacan State University (BulSU) in Malolos, Bulacan on September 6-8, 2017 and was organized by Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) and the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP).

Forty (40) representatives from nine SGP grantees in Lower Sierra Madre, together with about three hundred (300) college students, attended the opening ceremony on September 6, 2017 and were welcomed by Dra. Cecilia Geronimo, BulSU’s Vice President for Research, Extension and Training. Atty. Maria Generosa Mislang, The animated video titled “Amaya, sa Pusod ng Kagubatan, was launched during the Lower Executive Director of TK and Project Manager of the project Sierra Madre Hub Conference. “Capacity Building of Lower Sierra Madre CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) for Biodiversity Conservation and Management” Grantees from various environmental NGOs and POs such as Bagong Lumad under the GEF Small Grants Programme, discussed the rationale Artists’ Foundation Inc. (BLAFI), Earthday Network Philippines, Daloy Ng Buhay Inc. (DALUHAY), Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. (MERF), Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society Inc., Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc., Tanim Kalikasan Inc., Tribal Center for Development (TCD), and UP Los Baños Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI) shared their recent experiences in project implementation since the First Annual Lower Sierra Madre Hub Conference was held in September 2016.

TK’s second animated short film entitled Amaya:“ Sa Pusod ng Kagubatan” was also launched during the conference. It is about two great and majestic Philippine eagles, Amaya and Andoy, living in the forest of Sierra Madre. Development of the film was funded by the UNDP-GEF- Small Grants Programme Operational Phase 5 (SGP5) and IUCN Green Livelihood Alliance. The video can be accessed by following this link: https://goo.gl/1BmWXG.

An information, education, and communication (IEC) workshop was held Abner Mercado, ABS-CBN correspondent, talked about writing press on the second day of the conference to teach grantees skills and strategies on releases during Day 2 of the hub conference. developing IEC materials. 9 FASPS Updates Release no. 11 July - September 2017 PH, Germany consolidate good practices in managing 60 existing protected areas all over the PH – at least 56 new areas declared by Frances Mara Mendoza

Biodiversity partners. The German Government The butterfly mascots of were used as part of their awareness raising campaign and has cooperated with the Philippine government were made out of recyclable materials. in the field of environment and natural resource management.

The Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project successfully held a National Learning Exchange at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, on September 6-7, 2017. The learning exchange summit provided the venue for sharing the knowledge and experiences of project partners from over one hundred sixty (160) PAME-supported sites all over the Philippines.

“The Philippines is a focus country for Germany in the fight against climate change. The Philippines and Germany have already established a strong partnership in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as biodiversity conservation,” Dr. Gordon Kricke, German Ambassador to the Philippines, said.

The PAME Project is a partnership between theDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). The project has supported a global record of one hundred sixty (160) protected areas in the country. Fifty-six (56) new terrestrial and marine protected areas covering 170,000 hectares were also established, including a wetland in which has been acknowledged as a special wetland area under the RAMSAR convention as well as a major East Asian-Australasian Flyway site.

Overall, the PAME project reached its goal to improve the state of management effectiveness of more than sixty (60) National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) areas as shown by the average increase in the management assessment scores by more than 30%. In addition, the capabilities of more than 17,000 representatives of communities, national and local government units, the DENR, civil society organizations, and the academe to manage protected areas were enhanced under the project.

The event drew together more than two hundred (200) participants from different partner government units and organizations across the country to share their stories and experiences in the management and conservation of their respective environmental protected areas. Among these experiences are the effective cooperation among the national and local governments, communities, NGOs, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders; empowerment of communities to take the lead in developing their culturally unique approaches to protected area management; inclusion of sustainable tourism and other livelihood projects in the management approaches; and empowerment of women to play important roles in protected area management.

The learning summit also featured poster presentations and creative ways of promoting and highlighting the importance and uniqueness of biodiversity in protected areas. For PAME Principal Advisor Berthold Schirm and BMB Director Mundita Lim handing over the example, partners from Catanduanes used butterflies as project’s knowledge products to DENR Undersecretary Maria Paz “Ipat” Luna, in behalf of mascots. DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu. 10 Release no. 11 July - September 2017 FASPS Updates PH, Germany consolidate good practices... (continued from previous page) The Philippines is one of the world’s seventeen (17) most biodiverse countries, which together hosts 70% of the world’s biodiversity. However, it is also a global biodiversity hotspot due to its continued population growth, overexploitation of resources, pollution, and extreme vulnerability to climate change. Under the PAME Project, the German government, through GIZ, worked with the Philippine government to develop the capabilities of the Filipino people to sustainably manage their biodiversity for food security, sustained livelihoods, health, and protection from the disastrous impacts of climate change.

“It’s impossible to tackle climate change without addressing loss of biodiversity. Protecting and restoring ecosystems can help us reduce the extent of climate change and cope with its impact,” Berthold Schirm, PAME Principal The National Learning Exchange included a “PAMElihan” (marketplace) session where posters from the PAME 160 sites were presented and showcased. Advisor, said.

FASPS attends workshop on sectoral policy gaps analysis by John Carlo Aguado

August 16-19, 2017, – Representatives of different bureaus, services and offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) convened at the “CY 2017 Workshop on the Analysis of Sectoral Policy Gaps” organized by the Policy Studies Division of the Policy and Planning Service.

The workshop aimed to revisit the policy gaps identified during the 2016 workshop and to identify priority policy actions consistent with the current policy thrusts of the DENR under Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Workshop participants were grouped systematically by sectors to discuss, identify, and update policy gaps among themselves. Outputs of this discussion were presented to the plenary during the last day of the workshop.

The current policy direction of the DENR was presented to guide participants in identifying current policy gaps to be resolved, and was followed by the reporting of updates on actions taken to address those policy gaps identified during the previous workshop.

The first salvo of the discussion centered on policy gaps observed from the implementation of overarching, multi-sectoral policies such as Presidential Decree 1586 (Environmental Impact Statement System) and Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System).

Driven by the inclusion of resource valuation as one component in the DENR Program Expenditure Classification (PREXC) for CY 2018, participants were briefed on the subject matter and insights pertaining to the identification of indicators per sector, the policy directions on wealth accounting and valuation, and the use of appropriate valuation methods for the DENR to adopt, were gathered.

Other policy issuances such as on “Banning the Open Pit Method of Mining for Copper, Gold, Silver and Complex Ores in the Country” (DENR Administrative Order No. 2017-10) issued on April 27, 2017 were also discussed.

The workshop concluded with the synthesis and presentation of next steps of the policy group of DENR.

Participation of FASPS in this workshop was important since FASPS is an incubator of technology innovations and science-based findings. Some of the recently-concluded foreign assisted projects (FAPs) introduced innovations that have been mainstreamed and have shown to improve processes or operations of the DENR. For instance, the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) developed the Smart LAWIN protection tool while the Philippine Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (PhilWAVES) introduced the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Framework that contains the guidelines and methodologies for resource valuation and accounting was adapted.

Based on success stories, techniques, best practices, and lessons learned from the implementation of its projects, FASPS contributes to policy recommendations to the Department that trigger further innovations or spur amendments and/or issuance of relevant policies. These become an integral tool in DENR’s developmental and regulatory functions to support and achieve sustainable management of environment and natural resources (ENR) in the country. 11 SNAPSHOT News Collaborative Energies Convene for Groundbreaking Ceremony by Sheela Legaspi

September 22, 2017, Quezon City - Following the turnover of donated electronic vehicle units from the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation FASPS participate in the to the Department 32nd ICC in Celebration of the of Environment and Natural Resources Maritime and Archipelagic (DENR) in July, a brief groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the electric vehicle Nation Awareness Month charging station was held at DENR Central Office compound. by Sheela Legaspi

In his keynote speech, DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Atty. September 16, 2017 – Staff of the Foreign- Jonas Leones expressed his hopes for a fruitful collaboration between the DENR, Department Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS), of Trade and Industry (DTI), Meralco and Mitsubishi to create practical energy innovations for spent their early Saturday morning taking part in a clean and sustainable environment. the 32nd International Coastal Clean-up (ICC), themed “Together for our Ocean” this year. The FMP trains staff for roll out of community FASPS team collected solid waste at the Las Piñas- Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area enterprises (LPPCHEA). by Paolo Balderia Data-collecting sheets were handed out to Building capability for its people to think like “entrepreneurs,” the Forestland Management participants to fill out. The trash data inventory Project (FMP) trained its technical officers from its field implementing units at the Brentwood collected through the activity is hoped to serve Suites, Quezon City on July 31 to August 4, 2017. useful in good management of waste products.

FMP Officers from CAR and Regions 2, 3, and 6 were reared to serve as “mentors” to project- partner people’s organizations (PO) in rolling out their selected enterprise development ventures. These enterprises are expected to augment and boost the income of communities where these will be implemented.

During the five-day training, the participants were introduced to different entrepreneurial and business concepts, which include planning, financial, marketing, and operational components. Case studies were presented for them to have better understanding on how to handle issues that may arise from the enterprises. The sessions also included action planning and role plays to further situate the operations of an enterprise at the community level.

Since December 2016, the FMP has been pilot-testing twenty-four (24) enterprises implemented by its partner POs in its project sites. These enterprise ventures include coffee production, root crops trading, banana chips processing, broom making, among others. FMP Officers read through an instruction for an action planning activity as part of the capacity building efforts in The training is part of the steps being taken by FMP to expand and strengthen these enterprises. rolling out community enterprises in FMP sites.

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, Ave., Diliman, Quezon City Web (FASPS) http://fasps.denr.gov.ph Telefax: 926-8052 Email:[email protected]