Philippine Biodiversity Strategyand Action Plan 2015-2028Bringing Resilience to Filipino Communities

Abridged Edition

Published by:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources –Biodiversity Management BureauNinoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife CenterDiliman, 1100 Quezon City

Global Environment Facility 1899 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States

Foundation for the Philippine Environment77 Matahimik St., Teacher’s Village, Diliman, Quezon City

United Nations Development Programme30th Floor, Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, 1226 Makati City

Suggested citation: Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (2016). Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2028): Bringing resilience to Filipino Communities (Abridged) C. Cabrido, & R. B. De Alban (ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: BMB-DENR, United Nations Development Programme – Global Environment Facility, Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

Design: VJ Graphic Arts, Larmina A. Naptong

Cover Photographs: (from top to bottom, left to right)Filipino kids playing - Jonathan Hodder Rice field - Ronet Santos Fish vendor - Jonathan Hodder Tubattaha Reef - Yvette Lee Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox - Don Geoff Tabaranza Mangrove forest in Sinian River - Beverly CabatuanManila Bay - Jonathan Hodder Raflessia speciosa - Danilo TandangDipterocarp forest - Ronet Santos

ISBN 978–621–95016–5–1

Copyright © 2016 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau, United Nations Development Programme - Global Environment Facility, Foundation for the Philippine Environment

All rights reserved.

Any reproduction of this publication is authorized only for educational or other non-commercial purposes and must credit the publisher and copyright owner.

Printed in the Philippines

AcknowledgementsThe Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028 2015–2028 is a result of extensive and participatory consultations from February 2013 to March 2015. This process was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of the Philippines.

The Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would like to express its deepest gratitude to the organizations and individuals who are behind the successful formulation of the updated PBSAP 2015-2028:

Members of the PBSAP Project Board/National Steering Committee and Technical Working Group; ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB); BirdLife International; Haribon Foundation, Inc.; GIZ through the Protected Area Management Enhancement in the Philippines (PAME) Project; UNDP through the Biodiversity Partnership Programme (BPP); FishBase Information and Research Group, Inc. (FIN) and USAID through the Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program

The core group of individuals who worked through the 34-month process of formulating the plan utilizing accurate and up-to-date information from a vast and diverse pool of sources to ensure a quality and robust plan. These people are:

Lead expert discussants: Enrica Aquino, Margarita Lavides, Christine Casal, Eduardo Queblatin, Elpidio Peria, and Marivic Pajaro

Co-discussants and technical advisers: Cristi Nozawa, Sheila Vergara, Rodolfo Santos, Corazon Sinha, Felix Gaschick, Jean Caleda, Elena Javier, and Kent Tangcalagan

BMB Working Team: Dir. Theresa Mundita Lim, Asst. Dir. Noel Antonio Gaerlan, Executive Dir. Vincent Hilomen, Norma Molinyawe, Armida Andres, Nancy Corpuz, Josefina de Leon, Meriden Maranan, Marlynn Mendoza, Sarah Tagtag, Angelita Meniado, and Carlo Custodio

Documenters : Nermalie Lita, Rowena Tercero, Winnievir Balilia, Jessa Marie Quintana, Rej Winlove Bungabong, John Erick Avelino, Eduardo Genciagan, Jr., Justin Nicole Torres, Elirozz Carlie Labaria, Kahlil Panopio, Gregorio dela Rosa, Jr., Je-el Constatino, and Raymund Pajela

GIS Support: Diosmedado Cocal, Septher Ian Salcedo, and Matea Osti

Overall Facilitator: Veronica Villavicencio

Writer: Rina De Alban

UNDP Inclusive and Sustainable Development Unit: Amelia Supetran, Grace Tena, and Michael Joseph Jaldon, and Rose Anne Bautista-Lumenario

Project Management Unit: Anabelle Plantilla, Angelique Ogena, and Kamille Jan Trillanes-Rosales

The publication of this abridged version of the PBSAP was made possible by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

7

Table of ContentsForeword ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Working Together, Weaving the Living Web ...............................................................................................................10

Philippine Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................................12

Ecosystems: Nature’s Gifts that Keep on Giving ........................................................................................................14

Fragile Ecosystems, Heavy Burdens ...............................................................................................................................16

Linked to International Goals, Grounded on Local Needs .....................................................................................18

The PBSAP at a Glance ........................................................................................................................................................20

PBSAP Framework ................................................................................................................................................................21

PBSAP Targets and Indicators ..........................................................................................................................................22

Summary of PBSAP 2015–2028 Implementation Cost ...........................................................................................25

Implementing the PBSAP: A Comprehensive Approach .......................................................................................26

On the Ground: Local Efforts Key to PBSAP Success ................................................................................................28

PBSAP 2015–2028 Vision ...................................................................................................................................................31

ForewordThis publication presents the highlights of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015–2028, the country’s roadmap for conserving and managing biodiversity resources and integrating biodiversity objectives into national development and sectoral planning frameworks. It is the third and latest update of the Philippines’ biodiversity strategy and action plan, which was first developed in 1997 as part of the country’s commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The government recognizes that genuine inclusive and sustainable growth cannot be attained without pursuing biodiversity conservation. As such, the PBSAP directly feeds into the Philippine Development Plan goals, the President’s 10-point Agenda, and other national development plans.

The PBSAP was formulated with the participation of more than 800 individuals representing nearly 200 agencies and organizations from the government, private sector, media and academe, including non-government agencies and people’s organizations both at the local and international levels. This process ensured that the PBSAP was developed with a comprehensive understanding of the country’s priority needs. It contains specific targets and indicators, financing needs and strategies, monitoring mechanisms, and institutional arrangements or responsibilities—key ingredients to successful plan implementation.

Anchored within the goals of the Philippine Development Plan, the PBSAP works towards the vision that by 2028, the Philippines’ biodiversity is restored and rehabilitated, valued, effectively managed and secured, maintaining ecosystem services to sustain healthy, resilient Filipino communities and delivering benefits to all women and men.

Working Together, Weaving the Living WebThe Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015–2028

The Philippines is gifted with natural resources that are in many ways among the most remarkable in the world. Our forests, caves, rivers, lakes, fields, and oceans are teeming with life, with the biodiversity that makes it possible for us to enjoy numerous benefits—ranging from the obvious (water, food, energy) to the less apparent but equally essential (disaster control, climate regulation, air quality regulation).

Many years of exploitation as well as continued pressures have severely degraded the integrity of the country’s biodiversity and natural ecosystems, compromising the ability of these resources to deliver the benefits that support the well-being of all Filipinos, from those living in the remotest uplands to those doing the daily commute in the urban centers.

However, the Philippines and the rest of the world are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of safeguarding biodiversity. Humanity has had a severe impact on the world and must learn to live in harmony with the natural environment in order to ensure its own survival.

The inextricable link between biodiversity and human well-being is the heart of the aspirations of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015–2028, which sets out the country’s goals, plans, and programs for conserving the Philippines’ remarkable biodiversity and ensuring that these natural resources continue to sustain and support Filipinos. This publication provides an overview of the PBSAP.

98

Photo credits: Noel Jessie Aquino

Fisheries

CropPollination

GeneticResources

CoastalProtection

Timber

Fuelwood

Recreation

Fresh Water

EducationIrrigation

Food

ClimateRegulation

FloodControl

WaterPurification

CarbonSequestration

Aquaculture

Ecotourism

Soil ErosionControl

Air Quality Regulation

Energy/Electricity

Pharmaceuticals

CulturalHeritage

Ornamentals

Pest and Disease

Control

Philippine BiodiversityThe Philippines is a biodiversity powerhouse, containing some of the world’s most unique and varied assemblage of species. The country has 228 recognized key biodiversity areas (KBA), which are home to 855 globally important species of plants, corals, molluscs, elasmobranchs, �shes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. It is also one of the most important centers of amphibian and reptile diversity in Southeast Asia, and the discoveries keep on coming. From 2005 to 2012, 151 new species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants were discovered in the Philippines.

The bene�ts and services that biodiversity provides cannot be overemphasized. The country’s population of 100 million—projected to reach 125 million by 2030—depend on this biodiversity in a variety of ways, many of which we have not even been able to fully calculate or appreciate.

Philippine Ecosystem and Biodiversity ValuesEcosystem Service PhP Billion

Timber & fuelwood productionWater provisionEcotourismCarbon offsetFlood preventionSoil erosionFishery productionCrop productionCoral reefMangrove

1.150.9

157.0453.0

41.010.0

111.01,416.0

62.17.4

Total: 2,309.5

Source: Compiled by the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)

CO2

10 11

Forests • 6.84 million hectares (ha) total forest

cover as of 2010—about 23% of total land area

• A 2005 study determined that the country has lost an average of about

150,000 ha of forest cover per year over the past 100 years

Program seeks to cover 1,700,000 hectares

by 2016

Mangrove forests protect coastal

juvenile fish and other marine

importance is on the

efforts helped bring about increase in mangrove cover

from 0.247 million ha in 2003 to 0.311 million

ha in 2012

• Philippine seas are home to(# of species):

Coastal and Marine

marine turtles

marine mammals

5

28

168cartilaginous fishes

algae

seaweeds

reef associated

fishes

820

1,755

• 216 lakes

• 421 principal rivers• 22 marshes

648

mollusks

Ecosystems: Nature’s Gifts that Keep on Giving

Philippine tropical forests provide ecosys-

tem services estimated to have a total value of about

PhP15,115/ha Healthy forests help

regulate water supply. Our groundwater deposits

can supply up to 470 billion cubic meters to the country per year, 17 times what is

actually being used.

PhP 114.228 billion – value of external trade

in all forest goods in 2012

PForestry sector employs at least 49,000 people

1,062

• Along with five other countries in the Coral Triangle,

Philippine waters host the world’s richest coral and reef fish diversity

• 1 square kilometer of healthy coral reefs can yield up to 30 tons

of fish and earn $29,400–$113,000 tourism

revenue per yearPhilippine reefs

contribute approximately $1.35 billion to the national

economy per year

InlandWaters/

Wetlands

These inland waters/wetlands are home to 316 fish

species, 121 of which are found only in the Philippines

More than 13 million people live in the basin of Laguna Lake, enjoying benefits like food source; livelihood

Lake Lanao is the country’s second biggest freshwater lake (next to

Laguna Lake). Through the Agus hydropower plants, the lake helps supply 55%–65%

of Mindanao’s power needs.

1312

Fragile Ecosystems, Heavy Brudens

DRIVERS OF

ANDL O S S

CLIMATE

INVASIVE

SPECIES

FLOOD

DROUGHT

LANDSLIDE

GROUNDWATERDEPLETION

INCREASEDCARBONEMISSIONS

SPECIESDECLINE

FISHERIES DECLINE

OVERHARVESTING

EUTROPHICATION

DISEASE/HEALTHRISKS

DECLINE/EXTINCTIONOF NATIVE SPECIES

COASTALFLOODING

INFRASTRUCTUREDAMAGE

OVER

CAUSEEFFECT

SOME EXAMPLES

MINING DEFORESTATION

MARINE ECOSYSTEMDEGRADATION

ILLEGAL& OVER-FISHING

INTENSIVEAGROCHEMICALUSE

SEA LEVELRISE

STRONGERSTORMS

CORALREEFDEGRADATION

ILLEGALWILDLIFETRADING

WARMERSEAS

Photo Credits: Haribon Foundation, FPE Mindanao Regional UnitPhoto Credits: Benhur Villoria, SMART Seas, FPE Visayas Regional Unit

PESTINFESTATION

DISEASEOUTBREAKAMONGSPECIES

The PBSAP formulation process involved an extensive series of consultations and analysis to identify and trace the linkages of the various biodiversity threats facing the country. As a result, the PBSAP identi�ed the �ve main pressures of biodiversity loss in the Philippines, which in turn lead to harmful consequences a�ecting human lives, livelihoods, and overall well-being.

WATER POLLUTION

CORAL REEFSILTATION SILTATION

1514

Linked to International Goals,Grounded on Local Needs

The First PBSAP

1997

• 6 strategies and 17 major thrusts

integrate NBSAP into other sectoral plans

Second PBSAP

• 206

priority areas

• 5 strategic

2015

Third PBSAP

-

• 20 targets towards human well-being

• 9 interven

biodiversity pressures andthreats

2008

2006

2007

2010

Global Millennium Development Goals

On Biodiversity)

(Integrated Coastal Management)

of marine protected areas rose from 10-20% in 2000

to 20-30% in 2007

Terrestrial protected areas network grew from 8.5% in

1992 to 12.8% in 2008

1,169 marine protected areas

(Global Biodiversity Targets for 2020)

2002

2000

The PBSAP 2015–2028 was developed through extensive and participatory consultations with more than 800 individuals representing nearly 200 agencies and organizations from the government, private sector, media, and academe, including non-government agencies and people’s organizations at the local and international levels. This process was followed to ensure that the PBSAP would be able to identify and address priority needs and be easily integrated into the plans and programs of various government agencies, including local governments.

While the PBSAP adheres to global targets on biodiversity and sustainable development, like the 2010 Aichi Biodiversity Targets as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it also addresses local development needs and is intended to be consistent with other national plans down to the local plans, such as the Comprehensive Land Use Development Plan.

Continued improvement of what we know about our own biodiversity fueled the subsequent updates of the NBSAP. The 2002 update, which culminated in the release of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities or the second NBSAP, adopted 206 conservation priority areas as well as strategic actions that should be undertaken. The list of priority sites was re�ned in 2006 with the identi�cation of 128 terrestrial and freshwater key biodiversity areas, and in 2009 with the addition of 123 marine KBAs.

The current total of 228 KBAs resulted from the integration of the terrestrial, freshwater and marine KBAs. These KBAs represent the known habitats of 855 globally important species of plants, corals, molluscs, elasmobranchs, �shes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals in the country.

The PBSAP 2015–2028 is the third iteration of the country’s biodiversity strategy and action plan. The �rst one—then o�cially published as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)—was approved in 1997 as part of the country’s commitments to international conventions like the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), and United Nations Convention to Combat Deserti�cation (UNCCD).

The NBSAP formulation process, which started in 1994, marked the beginning of the country’s e�orts to undertake a comprehensive assessment of its biodiversity, as well as, analyze the various issues confronting conservation e�orts. This allowed us to gather together experts on di�erent �elds and organize an increasing amount of information on our biodiversity.

1918

The PBSAP at a GlanceThe PBSAP targets will be pursued through a combination of direct interventions, which will result in concrete physical changes in the KBAs, and enabling interventions, which will support or amplify the direct intervention e�orts.

Targets(with corresponding sets of indicators)

20

3 D

irect

Inte

rventions

6 Enabling Interventions

Restoration of ecosystem

functions

Promotion of biodiversity-friendly

livelihoods

Strengthening law enforcement

Communication, education, and

public awareness

Capacity develop-ment for biodiversity

management

Biodiversity conservation-related

research

Strengthening policy for biodiversity conservation

Promotion of biodiversity-friendly

technology

Resource mobilization

21

-

Human well-being target

Ecosystem services provided

Results related to addressing drivers

Conservation targets

Intervention

Restorationof

ecosystemfunctions

Direct

Promotionof biodiversity-

friendlylivelihoods

Strengthen-ing law

enforcement

Communica-tion,

educationand publicawareness

Capacitydevelopment

forbiodiversity

management

Biodiversityconservation-

relatedresearch

Strengtheningpolicy for

biodiversityconservation

Promotion ofbiodiversity-

friendlylivelihoods and

technology

Resourcemobilization

Enabling

IAS hotspots reduced (Result 10)

Pollution controlled (Result 10)

Agri-aqua cultural expansion in protected areas controlled (Result 10)

Energy production and mining in KBAs regulated (Result 10)

Fuelwood sourced from sustainable sources (Result 10)

Illegal cutting of tree hotspots reduced (Result 10)

Hotspots for illegal hunting of wildlife reduced (Result 10)

Residential and commercial development in PAs controlled (Result 10)

Awareness of importance of biodiversity conservation increased (Result 18)

Restoration plans initiated (Result 14)

Biodiversity conservation integrated in CLUPs (Result 13)

Agricultural heritage systems recognized (Result 15)

Improved management of caves (Result 16)

Relevant conservation policies that address gaps are in place (Result 17)

Capacity for biodiversity management enhanced (Result 12)

Biodiversity-friendly practices adopted (Result 11)

Policy enforcement strengthened

Natural forest cover increased

(Result 2) Conservation status of globally threatenedspecies maintained or improved

(Results 1, 5)

Improved geneticdiversity in agriculture

(Result 4)

Expanded naturalareas in urban

centers (Result 6)

Cultural services maintained (Results 7, 19, 20)

Provisioning services maintained (Results 7, 8, 19, 20)

Supporting services maintained (Results 7, 19, 20)

Regulating services maintained (Results 7, 19, 20)

BD-related jobscreated (Result 9) Improved health Avoidance of natural

disasters

No net loss in live coralcover, mangroves and

seagrass areas (Result 3)

InlandWaters

Agro-biodiversity

Urban Areas

Coastaland Marine

CavesTerrestrialAreas

PBSAP framework The illustration shows how the interventions are expected to deliver key results to achieve the 20 PBSAP targets and contribute to the overall human well-being goal.

Results related to reducing threats

20

The PBSAP identified 20 targets to address drivers of biodiversity loss, reduce biodiversity threats, improve biodiversity status, and enhance ecosystem services, all towards the overarching goal of improving human well-being.

As shown in this figure, the PBSAP targets (green layer) contribute to the several SDGs adopted by the United Nations (orange layer), and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (blue layer), showing that biodiversity has an impact on development goals.

Pages 20-21 show the PBSAP framework, illustrating how the interventions are expected to deliver key results to achieve the 20 PBSAP targets and contribute to the overall human well-being goal.

Human well-being

Ecosystem services provided

Conserva on targets

Reducing threats

Addressing drivers

PBSAP Targets

SDGs

Targets 1-6

Targets7 & 8

Target9

Targets 11-20

Target 10

PBSAP Framework

PBSAP Target 1Maintain or improve conserva n

status of threatened species

PBSAP Target 3Maintain live coral cover, mangrove and seagrasses

PBSAP Target 2Maintain natural forest

cover

PBSAP Target 5Maintain popula n

of migratory birds

PBSAP Target 7Enhance ecosystem

services

PBSAP Target 8Maintain sh stocks of

economically important species

PBSAP Target 9Increase biodiversity

conserva n related jobs

PBSAP Target 10Reduce, control and manage

key threats to biodiversity

PBSAP Target 6Increase propor n

of green spaces

PBSAP Target 4Maintain or conserve gene c diversity of cul vated plants

and farmed and domes cated animals

PBSAP Target 11Increase areas for biodiversity-

friendly agriculture

PBSAP Target 12Strengthen capacity of public

and private sector

PBSAP Target 13LGUs to formulate and adopt

enhanced Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)

PBSAP Target 14Restore ecosystems

PBSAP Target 15Increase number of

agricultural systems

PBSAP Target 16Improve cave

management

PBSAP Target 17Biodiversity

in place

PBSAP Target 18Increase awareness on

biodiversity

PBSAP Target 19Increase PAs that overlap with KBAs

PBSAP Target 20Increase coverage of

established MPAs/sanctuariesAichi Targets

Goal A: Address causes Target 1 Awareness

Target 2 MainstreamingTarget 3 Harmful incentives Target 4 Sustainability plans

Goal B: Reduce pressures Target 5 Loss of natural habitats

Target 6 OverfishingTarget 7 Sustainable management

Target 8 PollutionTarget 9 Invasive alien species

Target 10 Climate change

Goal C: Improve status Target 11 Protected areas

Target 12 Threatened speciesTarget 13 Genetic diversity

Goal D: Enhance benefits Target 14 Ecosystems services

Target 15 Restoration & carbon stocksTarget 16 Nagoya Protocol

Goal E: Improve implementation Target 17 NBSAPs

Target 18 Traditional knowledge Target 19 Science base

Target 20 Financial resources