environmental protection in the philippines essay

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4 Biggest Environmental Issues in the Philippines in 2024

In the run-up to COP28, the urgency intensifies for the world to address the ongoing climate crisis. Although activities in the Global North herald the climate crisis for the most part, some nations in the Global South also contribute to a host of environmental issues like air and plastic pollution. Here are the top 4 environmental issues in the Philippines and the government’s approach to curtailing them. 

1. Air Pollution

Over the course of the year, air pollution has become particularly problematic in the Philippines. Going by World Health Organization’s (WHO) health and environment scorecard , the country records an annual mean of 24 micrograms per cubic metre (µ g/m³) for fine particulate matter, significantly surpassing the recommended maximum level of 5 µ g/m³. For the most part, air pollution in the Philippines stems from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil. Considering that 53% of the population is without access to clean fuels and technology for cooking, this is bound to further exacerbate air quality in the long run. 

Air pollution in the Philippines is also caused by vehicular emissions, particularly in areas like Metro Manila. In 2022, other recorded surges in air pollution outside Metro Manila include the San Fernando City Station in Pampanga, Antipolo City Station, Biñan City Station, Puerto Princesa City Station, and the Davao City Station. 

According to William Cuñado , Environmental Management Bureau Director at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), lifting Covid-19 restrictions particularly deteriorated air quality in Metro Manila . For the most part, this was due to an acute surge in the number of vehicles on the street, which had fallen to 10% in the country’s National Capital Region during the lockdown period. 

Another factor was the prevalent use of firecrackers during new year celebrations. Given that the particulate matter ( PM 10 ) in firecrackers contains a mixture of carbon, sulfur, and other fine particles that pose a danger to public health, the DENR affirmed its commitment to controlling air pollution spikes of this nature. However, for this approach to be successful, it would require local government units to enforce the available Executive Order 28 on the controlled use of firecrackers. 

On another note, although the government introduced the Clean Air Act of 1999, groups like Greenpeace Philippines and the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) point out its outdated nature in the international community. For this reason, there have been pressing calls for the government to update its standards to meet the reality of air pollution in the country. 

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2. Plastic Pollution

Among the environmental issues in the Philippines is also plastic pollution , a particularly severe problem for the country. Evident by the World Bank’s use of the word ‘staggering’ to describe the situation in the Philippines, an insufficient waste management system, coupled with a high dependence on single-use plastics set the scene for the country’s annual generation of 2.7 million tons of plastic waste.   

Much like any rapidly developing country, the Philippines faces unsustainable plastic consumption due to an inefficient recycling system. Estimates show that the country loses around US$890 million to unrecycled plastic products. However, despite the considerable scale of plastic pollution in the Philippines, residents of the country and some companies have been at the forefront of recycling efforts so far. For instance, companies like Infinity Eight Trading and Marketing Corporation buy plastic waste from scrap dealers, turn them into pellets, and resell them as raw materials to remake food cartons and bottles. 

While critics trace the Philippines’ plastic pollution problem to the poor enforcement of laws, the government, nonetheless, introduced its Extended Producer Responsibility Act   (EPRA) in 2022. With this new law in play, companies are mandated to create EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery, and diversion. Accordingly, by 2028, companies are expected to have achieved an 80% offset or recovery of their plastic product footprint. 

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3. Marine Pollution

As the third-largest contributor to marine plastics, marine pollution accounts for one of the most pressing environmental issues in the Philippines. Considering that the country generates over 2 million tons of plastic waste every year, the World Bank reports that an estimated 20% of this waste ends up in the sea. Depicting the state of marine pollution in the Philippines, Theresa Lazaro, the country’s Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, cited reports that “there would be more plastics than fish by 2050 , while oceans would be overheated and acidified if people fail to act now”. For this reason, marine pollution also endangers biodiversity in the Philippines .

In recent years, the government has initiated various measures to curb marine pollution in the country. One of them is the Philippine Port Authority’s signed agreement with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines to address marine pollution around ports. Through this agreement, the objective is to achieve a 50% reduction in plastic waste leakage in the Port of Cagayan de Oro, the Port of Batangas, and t he Manila North Port. 

Another response to marine pollution in the Philippines is the government’s implementation of a National Plan of Action on Marine Litter . Envisioned to achieve zero waste in Philippine waters by 2040, the plan seeks to set a wide range of policies into motion, ranging from public-private partnerships to an improvement of public awareness about marine pollution. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ), the approach’s rationale has to do with a recognition that most of the marine plastics polluting the sea are traceable to land-based sources, such as an improper waste disposal system. For this reason, an integrated effort that also curbs land-based plastic pollution while also educating the public on waste management practices is envisioned to be more effective. 

While the government envisions the aforementioned EPR law as a step in the right direction, there are many other factors that need to be considered. For instance, much like earlier efforts to curb plastic and air pollution in the Philippines, a significant level of commitment will be a crucial determinant of its effectiveness. 

4. Sea Level Rise

Floods have been recurrent in the Philippines in 2022 . On Christmas day alone, erratic rains trigger devastating flooding in Northern Mindanao and the Vasayas region that killed at least 51 people .  

This comes at the back of the country topping this year’s World Risk Index , which assesses sea level rise (a cause of coastal flooding) as one of its indicators. In line with the problem, Earth.Org’s projection shows that residents of the country’s capital city, Manila, will be displaced by 2100 if the current trend continues. At the moment, Manila is already subsiding at 20 millimetres per year , surpassing the mean sea level rise almost tenfold. 

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So far, mitigation efforts have not been very successful. Nonetheless, in 2022, the DENR announced a plan to install infrastructures like floodgates, pumping stations, box culverts, and additional drainage connection systems. This was in addition to declogging operations carried out across drainage canals in Manila. Accordingly, DENR also plans to particularly focus on the city’s low-lying areas to abate coastal flooding. 

Flood mitigation may be crucial to the Philippines’ strategy on sea level rise, however, there are concerns that the government’s approach fails to consider its long-term threat. For the most part, this is due to solutions such as the decision to wall off the coast only partially. Although the several gaps in the seawall were necessary to provide fishing boats access to the bay, however, Vonne Villanueva, disaster risk reduction and management officer in the City of Navota, said the coastline may have to be closed to truly protect the city from rising sea levels. 

Featured image by Henry Donati/Department for International Development ( Flickr )

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A glimpse at the critical state of the Philippine environment

April 27, 2020

by IBON Foundation

While nations attempt to meet the sustainable development goals envisioning an end to poverty, protection of the planet, and peace and prosperity, neoliberalism has spearheaded the unbridled destruction of the environment. This was discussed by IBON in the webinar-launch of its new book State of the Philippine Environment on the 50 th Earth Day.

Done at the height of the coronavirus lockdown, IBON research head Rosario Guzman discussed sections of the book with the closest relation to the coronavirus pandemic. Studies show that the coronavirus may have been an animal-to-human transmission of a pathogen and that this finds roots in disrupted ecology. Tackled were deforestation and land-use changes, loss of ecological integrity due to ‘dirty industries’, urbanization and poverty, and climate change risks and vulnerabilities.

Crippled by culprits

The discussion in the book has been quite straightforward, Guzman shared. The environment is in a critical state, degraded hugely by destructive and extractive profit-motivated activities of foreign and local corporations, oligarchs, politicians, officials, and certain individuals. Their operations have been ushered by government policies no less, which are neoliberal, pro-foreign, pro-business, anti-environment, and anti-people.

The current context is that of gross income inequality. To illustrate, the country’s top oligarchs who belong to the richest, narrowest section of Philippine society (Sy, Villar, Gokongwei, Razon, and Ayala families, to cite the top 5 in 2020) have accumulated wealth from environmental destruction. Their businesses include environment-encroaching sectors such as real estate, construction, food and drinks, ports development, manufacturing, power, energy, water, oil, telecommunications, mining, and agribusiness. Their dominance in the economy, on the other hand, leave those at the base – families whose monthly incomes fall under the Php21,000 and below bracket – poor and vulnerable to hunger, disasters, and diseases.

Deforestation and land conversion

Human activities disrupting the ecological balance such as clearing of forests and land-use changes may have led to the emergence of pathogens such as the coronavirus. Logging, mining, corporate plantations, and other extractive activities have eaten at the forest cover of the Philippines, which has diminished to just 7 million hectares as of 2015, or just 23.3% of the country’s land area.  According to environment scientists, this is ecologically unhealthy and critical given the country’s geography and terrain, which should sustain a 54% forest cover.

Land degradation due to soil erosion is moderate in 16.6% and severe in 70.5% of the country’s land area. The Philippines was among the first countries to implement the Green Revolution, which promoted the use of inorganic chemicals and input-dependent crop varieties.

Land conversion for corporate agriculture, cash crops, real estate and infrastructure has added to ecological disruption. For instance, the Duterte administration is allocating one million hectares for oil palm plantations, 98% of which are in Mindanao. It is also pushing for its Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects – case in point are the dam projects nationwide, six of which under loans with China, which threaten to destroy farms, forests and water sources, and displace communities and livelihoods.

Loss of ecological integrity

The loss of ecological integrity has also been due to ‘dirty industries’ being promoted by the government, such as large-scale mining that has always been equated with environmental destruction and the preference for dirty fuel such as coal for energy development.

Large-scale mining entails cheap methods that spell deforestation, slope destabilization, soil erosion, water resource gradation, desertification, crop damages, siltation, alteration of terrain and sea bottom topography, increased water turbidity, and air pollution. Guzman noted how large-scale mining violations cut across environmental, human and sovereign rights.

Then there is the heavy reliance on coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel and a major source of air pollution. Eleven of 49 current committed power plant projects are coal-fired, accounting for 78% of combined rated capacity.

Urbanization and poverty

Because of lack of rural development, people flock to the cities looking for livelihood and jobs. Guzman said that urbanization has become associated more with poverty and diseases instead of development. Especially in Metro Manila, millions are rendered vulnerable under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). While being one of the most important anti-COVID-19 measures, physical distancing is difficult to practice in the region where 29% of the families are cramped in spaces that allow only four square meters and below per person, which is below World Health Organization (WHO) standard.

One of four residents in Metro Manila is an informal settler, and 51% of informal settlers live in danger areas. Also, the health advice of frequent hand washing and disinfecting of surroundings is a huge challenge where only a little over half of families have water piped into their dwellings and 24% still source water from protected wells.

Meanwhile, air pollution is Metro Manila’s problem. The region is not only the worst traffic on earth as the navigational app Waze once said and the most congested, it is also among the world’s cities with poorest air quality. The Philippines ranks third among countries with the highest incidence of deaths related to outdoor air pollution, 65% of which is due to mobile sources.

Climate change disasters 

The Philippine contribution to the climate crisis is minute if compared to the accountability of transnational corporations of the industrialized countries. Yet, the country’s greenhouse gas emissions have also increased from 2007 to 2017 due to its continued use of oil and increasing reliance on coal.

The injustice still lies in the fact that the Philippines, despite its minor contribution to GHG, is among most vulnerable to climate disasters. The Philippines is the 5 th most affected country by climate disasters from 1998 to 2017, according to the Climate Risk Index 2019.

Anti-environment policy and Philippine vulnerability to climate hazards

The imperiled state of the environment is the direct result of decades of Philippine government legislation that prioritizes foreign investment and trade anchored on environmentally destructive premises. The promotion of real estate development, national land use policy that favors pro-foreign and pro-business infrastructure and agribusiness, and the liberalization and privatization of public utilities and the commons have been the general framework of environmental destruction.

On the other hand, these neoliberal policies have entailed the demolition of slums and the urban poor, bay reclamation and coastal displacement, land and resource grabs, including and the grabbing of ancestral lands of the indigenous people, and displacement of farming communities.

The country has seen private interests taking over Philippine resources, utilizing these for profit-making, and narrowing people’s chances for healthy environment and living.

Ways forward

The Philippine environment is very much devastated, degraded, rendering us helpless and vulnerable to this pandemic. Yet, Guzman said that the Philippines is the center not only of environmental degradation but also of environmental movements, albeit noting that environment defenders in the country are also top harassed, killed, and victimized by human rights violations.

The Philippine environmental movement has contributed much to the discourse of sustainable development. Guzman concluded her discussion by saying, “Perhaps we should put the people’s right to a healthy environment as an overarching principle not just in the Constitution but in all laws. This will always be at odds with neoliberalism, which we can spend a lifetime, even maybe until the next coronavirus, fighting.”

Guzman’s lecture was followed by a panel discussion on water, food and medical waste management in the time of COVID-19. Attended online by over 500 participants from schools, environmental groups and advocates, institutions, academe, journalists, and others nationwide, the webinar-launch was co-organized with the Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC) Philippines , Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (PNE), and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP). It was the last in a three-part series titled “State of the Philippine Environment: Ecological Challenges and Ecological Solutions”, which was also featured in Earth Day Network Philippines and Agroecology X activities.

IBON’s State of the Philippine Environment is a colorfully illustrated reference book with nine chapters.*

* The State of the Philippine Environment’s chapters are: 1 – Forests, 2 – Land, 3 – Marine and Coast Environment, 4 – Freshwater Resources, 5 – Air, 6 – Dirty Industries, 7 – Urbanization, 8 – Climate Change, 9 – Charting Real Solutions. Editors: Sanny Afable and Rosario Guzman. Illustrated by Jennifer Padilla. For copies contact IBON or the IBON Bookshop on Facebook while the lockdown remains in force.

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Environment

Millions of Filipinos rely on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for their livelihoods, but frequent natural disasters, ineffective management, and lapses in environmental law enforcement threaten these critical natural resources. Water and air pollution levels exceed generally accepted health standards; and greenhouse gas emissions are increasing from rapid urbanization, land conversion, mismanaged plastic waste, and increased demands on the transport and power sectors. These drivers, coupled with the country’s location in the Pacific, make the Philippines consistently rank as one of the world’s most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

The U.S. government has a strong, decades-long partnership with the government of the Philippines on environmental conservation. Through USAID, the United States partners with the Philippines to protect the Philippines’ vast natural resources, promote water and energy security, support the country’s low carbon transition, combat illegal and exploitative fishing practices, and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts and natural disasters.

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO)

The Philippines is among the largest contributors to global ocean plastic pollution. The country generates an estimated 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, with approximately 20 percent ending up in the ocean. Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is USAID’s flagship program to address the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution. CCBO works in 10 countries to reduce ocean plastic pollution directly at its source by strengthening waste management systems and building circular economies, city by city. In the Philippines, CCBO (buy-in) helps develop, test, and implement new models that promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and enhance solid waste management; facilitate partnerships and investment around key needs such as infrastructure; and strengthen local systems to build the Philippines’ resiliency. CCBO is piloting solutions to stop the flow of plastic pollution into the waters within and surrounding the country, including several of the most problematic areas. The project is working with partners to design and implement holistic strategies that address each step in the waste value chain—from production to its end use—prioritizing the most inclusive, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable solutions.

Climate Resilient Cities (CRC)

The Philippines, one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the East Asia and Pacific Region, is among the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, ranking first in the 2022 World Risk Index. Climate Resilient Cities (CRC) advances resilience by helping Philippine cities adapt to, mitigate, and manage the impacts of climate change and disasters. Project activities focus on enhancing the cities’ capacity to understand, use, and communicate climate data – including vulnerability and risk data; improving the cities’ abilities to access and manage climate financing; and enabling cities to implement or upscale innovative, nature-based solutions to conserve, restore, or sustainably manage the environment. The project works with various stakeholders such the national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector. Under a donor to donor agreement, the Korea International Cooperation Agency buys-in to the CRC activity.

Energy Secure Philippines (ESP)

Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) supports the Philippine Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission in advancing clean energy as envisioned in the Philippine Energy Plan for 2040, the core of which is centered on the pillars of ensuring energy security, expanding energy access, and promoting a low-carbon future through multi-stakeholder support and engagement. Working with the government and private sector, the project aims to mobilize at least $750 million of private investments into the energy sector and at least 500 MW of additional electricity generating capacity. ESP helps improve the operational performance of select electric distribution utilities, as well as support their financial viability and strengthen resilience against shocks and stresses, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The project also supports the increased deployment of advanced energy sources and systems. Specifically, the project supports implementation of key policies and regulations that will advance the use of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency, smart technologies, and physical and cybersecurity capabilities. ESP also enhances competition in the power sector so that more consumers can enjoy lower electricity costs. The activity also provides small grants to incubate and pilot novel and innovative solutions on various cross-sectoral issues.

The Philippines depends on coral reefs for food and income valued at $22 million annually. Fish provide more than 50 percent of Filipinos' dietary protein. However, unsustainable fishing practices and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have affected coastal and marine biodiversity. Fish Right promotes sustainable fisheries by improving local marine ecosystem management, establishing fishing regulations, “right-sizing” fisheries to increase fish stocks in government-designated fisheries management areas, and managing the impact of climate on fisheries and coastal resources. The program works with fisherfolk, provincial, and municipal governments and community-based organizations to improve management of marine key biodiversity areas. By 2025, the program expects to see a 10 percent increase in fish number and weight as a result of improved management of 2.5 million hectares of marine waters, benefitting more than 2 million people.

Forestry and Climate Change Support Program

Since 2011, USAID has partnered with the United States Forest Service to build the capacity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local governments, indigenous peoples, communities, and the private sector in designing and implementing forest protection and restoration activities as natural climate solutions, and monitoring their effectiveness. The renewed partnership under the program provides technical assistance on developing and rolling out of the national forest monitoring system to enable accurate and reliable measurement, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry and land use sector; improving the design and implementation of the national forest resource assessment and forest inventory; and strengthening capacity for forest and grassland fire management.

Investing in Sustainability and Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems (INSPIRE)

INSPIRE provides grants to civil society organizations (CSOs) and indigenous peoples’ groups in priority areas to implement local conservation and climate actions that advance environmental governance, promote inclusive growth, and restore natural ecosystems. The activity enhances the capacity of CSOs, indigenous peoples’ groups, and local communities to demand and participate in good natural resource governance; improves legal frameworks that support customary rights to land and water in biologically significant areas; and increases the transparency and accountability of various stakeholders about how natural resources are managed, extracted, and brought to market.

Local Works: Mindanao Bamboo Value Chain Development Program

In this Local Works activity, USAID partners with BUKTAMACO, the economic arm of the Bukidnon- Tagoloanon tribe, in establishing and developing an inclusive, locally-led, bamboo-based economy in Mindanao. This activity helps the tribe participate in the global export market using innovative solutions to address development challenges and create self-reliance. Specifically, this project will develop 1,500 hectares of giant bamboo plantations, interplanted with native hardwood trees; establish nurseries and post-harvest processing capacity to create a locally-led, sustainable value chain that meets global market standards for bamboo products; secure legal, financial, and carbon rights for indigenous peoples' ancestral lands; and develop a methodology and registering for carbon offsets. Through these activities, the project is providing sustainable incomes and livelihood for the marginalized indigenous communities and small landowners, improving environmental conditions in bamboo plantations, facilitating robust data collection, learning, and registration and verification for carbon credit trading; and empowering and providing financial autonomy for women.

Meloy Fund for Sustainable Community Fisheries

The fisheries and seafood industry employs 1.4 million people in the Philippines, and fish accounts for up to 50 percent of the total intake of animal protein. While coastal fisheries help conserve biodiversity and protect communities from natural disasters, exploitation and overfishing are serious challenges that lead to reduced seafood production, lower incomes for fishing communities, and degraded coastal ecosystems. Sustainable fisheries is gaining wide support across the world, presenting a significant opportunity to support related enterprises and coastal communities, as well as mobilize private sector investments. However, businesses poised to take advantage of this opportunity lack access to finance because they are often perceived as too small or too risky. They need loans to adopt new technologies, implement best practices, grow, and in some cases, start-up. The Meloy Fund is an impact investment vehicle that incentivizes the development and adoption of sustainable fisheries by making debt and equity investments in fishing-related enterprises that support the recovery of coastal fisheries.

Partnering with the Development Finance Corporation, the Meloy Fund aims to mobilize $17.5 million in financing over twelve years. This assistance helps borrowers expand their sustainable fish and seafood production and improve their incomes, and promotes more sustainable practices and technologies to protect coastal systems.

Philippines Counter Wildlife Trafficking and Protected Area Management

The project strengthens the capacity of the Philippine government to combat wildlife crimes, more effectively manage protected areas, and analyze geospatial data to monitor environmental programs through technical assistance delivered by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) through its International Technical Assistance Program. The project continues the longstanding partnership between USAID and DOI, which has been ongoing since 2004.

The Philippines faces water security challenges that include a growing population, unsustainable land use, and severely deficient wastewater management. To address these challenges, the country requires an adequate and dependable supply of clean drinking water, elimination of open defecation in rural and poor communities, increased access to safely managed sanitation services, and sustainable water resources. The Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change will make water security even more challenging in the future as drought, typhoons, and sea level rise threaten the country’s watersheds, water resources, and water and sanitation systems. In partnership with the Government of the Philippines, Safe Water seeks to improve water security for water-stressed communities through increased access to water supplies and sanitation services, more sustainably managed water resources–including critical forests and watersheds, and a stronger policy and enabling environment. The project aims to provide local government units, water service providers, and watershed councils with the information, incentives, and partnerships to identify and address barriers to a water-secure future—yielding life-saving gains in access to water supply and sanitation services for unserved and underserved communities in the Philippines.

Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL)

SIBOL supports the Philippine government to achieve its goals of improving natural resource governance, sustainably managing natural resources, and reducing environmental crimes and unsustainable practices—leading to greater ecosystem stability and inclusive green growth. The project aims to support a resilient Philippines in which communities, the private sector, and government collaboratively protect the Philippines’ rich natural resources. SIBOL's Planetary Health approach uses cutting-edge science, coordinated and inclusive governance strategies, and powerful economic incentives to protect and conserve biodiversity and the benefits it provides to communities.

U.S. Peace Corps Small Project Assistance (SPA) V for Environment

USAID continues to support the Peace Corps through small grants, training, and program design and management assistance on sustainable coastal resources management, effective marine protected area management, and climate adaptation. With USAID support, the SPA program advances strategic partnerships with local governments by developing local champions to lead community-based biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation programs. The SPA benefits more than 20 coastal municipalities that have high marine biological significance but are also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Through the SPA, USAID partners with Peace Corps Philippines to strengthen the capacities of local environment and fisheries officers and communities to protect, manage, and sustainably finance the protection and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources. Volunteers work with community counterparts to identify common concerns, develop strategies to address these concerns, and implement small-scale community-level projects.

USAID-Philippine Government Ocean and Marine Science Support Program

The Ocean and Marine Science Support Program, a buy-in to the Regional Development Mission for Asia’s Interagency Agreement with NOAA, aims to strengthen the governance and resilience of coastal and ocean ecosystems. Under the renewed partnership between USAID and NOAA, the program supports the Philippine government institutions and coastal, ocean, and fisheries scientists and managers in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; advancing sustainable fisheries management; and improving management effectiveness of national marine protected areas and networks through peer-to-peer scientific and technical research exchanges, training workshops, and technical assistance.

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Environmental Jurisprudence from the Philippines: Are Climate Litigation Cases Just Around the Corner?

By Gregorio Rafael P. Bueta - Philippine jurisprudence on the environment has been on a steady pace of development since the 70’s and 80’s. It got a global boost when the famous case of Oposa vs Factoran came out in 1993. In it, the Philippine Supreme Court bravely and courageously gave standing to generations yet unborn - an argument from the creative legal mind of Atty. Antonio Oposa, Jr. Since then the Oposa case has been cited and replicated all over the world, more recently in on-going climate litigation cases such as the Juliana case in the US.

Photo: IUCN

For a country like the Philippines - one of the most megadiverse countries in the world, rich in natural resources, and home to unique flora and fauna - environmental laws and measures to protect nature are crucial. This becomes more of a challenge for a developing country with 110 million people, and rising. Not only will nature and ecosystems be pushed to the brink, but more importantly conflicts over these scarce resource will increase. More people will be pushed into poverty as food and water security are threatened, public health costs rise, and infrastructure are not ready to cope with natural and man-made disasters (crucial for a country which sees an average of 20 typhoons in a year!).   

The Oposa Case stands alongside a long list of environmental jurisprudence from the Philippines. A long line of decisions of Philippine courts have sought to protect the environment and give life and meaning to the constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. Some of the more recent ones include: the clean-up of Manila Bay ordered through a Writ of Continuing Mandamus; [1] standing was given by the court to humans to represent the toothed whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other cetacean species (the Resident Marine Mammals), which inhabit the waters in and around the Tañon Strait in the central Philippines; [2] application of the precautionary principle in genetically modified eggplants; [3] liability for damage of coral reefs by a foreign military vessel; [4] and road sharing for carless people. [5]

Public interest litigation for the environment and nature was also given a boost when the Supreme Court designated environmental courts around the country (117 in total) in 2008, and issued the Rules of Procedures for Environmental Cases (The Rules) in 2009. These Rules provided for simplified and streamlined measures to speed-up environmental litigation, and make it easier for the public to bring cases – after all, someone needs to represent the environment in these disputes.

The Rules also include the one-of-a-kind remedy called the Writ of Kalikasan (or nature). It is a form of special civil action in environmental cases, a judicial remedy in case of “ environmental damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces .” Considered as the first-of-its kind in the world, it is a unique tool by which petitioners can invoke the extraordinary writ powers and jurisdiction of the courts.

Another useful remedy provided in the Rules is the Writ of Continuing Mandamus, taking cue from jurisprudence in the Manila Bay Clean-up Case. It is a remedy when a government agency or officer unlawfully neglects a duty imposed upon him by law in connection with the enforcement or violation of environmental laws, rules and regulations, or rights, or unlawfully excludes another from the use or enjoyment of such right. This writ allows the court to require the government agency or officer to perform an act or series of acts until the judgment is fully satisfied and to submit periodic reports on its progress. The court may evaluate and monitor compliance with its judgment, by itself or through a commissioner or appropriate government agency. The remedy of continuing mandamus is further unique in that it allows the award of damages where the government maliciously neglects to perform their duties. Variations of this Writ have been utilized in other jurisdictions like Australia, India, Pakistan, and the United States of America.

The Rules also feature environmental protection orders, SLAPP, citizen’s suits, and waived filing fees – making environmental litigation much simpler, accessible, and effective. 

Environmental cases have surely increased with the Rules, with more Writ of Kalikasan case pending in different courts around the country. However, what about climate change litigation? Are we going to see the shift from purely environment to climate change cases?

First, let’s start by defining climate change litigation. The generally accepted definition is that of Markell and Ruhl: any piece of federal, state, tribal, or local administrative or judicial litigation in which the party filings or tribunal decisions directly and expressly raise an issue of fact or law regarding the substance or policy of climate change causes and impacts . For our purposes, let’s work with this definition, although many scholars note that a broader definition of climate change litigation is possible.

Is climate change already in Philippine jurisprudence? In the Manila Bay Clean-Up Case , Justice Presbitero Velasco began his ponentia as such:

The need to address environmental pollution, as a cause of climate change, has of late gained the attention of the international community . Media have finally trained their sights on the ill effects of pollution, the destruction of forests and other critical habitats, oil spills, and the unabated improper disposal of garbage. And rightly so, for the magnitude of environmental destruction is now on a scale few ever foresaw and the wound no longer simply heals by itself. But amidst hard evidence and clear signs of a climate crisis that need bold action, the voice of cynicism, naysayers, and procrastinators can still be heard. [Emphasis supplied]

Although there is no other mention of climate change in the case and one can categorize this decision as one for environmental enforcement, it is clear that the Supreme Court recognized the causal link between environmental pollution and climate change.

In the case challenging the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (one where environment was not even an issue), [6] the Supreme Court had occasion to say in its Epilogue that “[t]he Philippines is one of the countries most directly affected and damaged by climate change”. Although climate change was not discussed, the court showed its awareness and acceptance of the country’s vulnerability to the global phenomenon.

Despite these court pronouncements, there is yet no climate change case in the Philippines based on the definition of climate change litigation adopted for this article. Perhaps the closest attempt was the recent Road Sharing Case . Petitioners hinged their arguments on climate change and its impacts for a country like the Philippines. In its Decision denying the petition, the Supreme Court said that the government was able to show that it was taking action to address the environmental issues raised, and that the court cannot compel the Executive branch to implement a principle, which requires the exercise of discretion and cannot thus be the subject of mandamus.

There is however one unique case from the Philippines because redress was not sought from the regular courts. Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement petitioned the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) on behalf of 13 organizations and 20 individuals, alleging that some 50 companies, referred to as the Carbon Majors — including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Rio Tinto, Lukoil, and Massey Coal — knowingly contributed to the root causes of climate change and thus violated the human rights of Filipinos. In particular, the petitioners asked whether the top 50 CO 2 emitters in the world between 1751 and 2010 (collectively accounting for 21.71% of the world’s CO 2 emissions) have violated, or threaten to violate, rights to life; the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; food; water; sanitation; adequate housing; and self-determination. The CHR conducted hearings in the Philippines and London, invited the carbon majors to participate (but they did not), and received evidence and reports from different stakeholders. The report with recommendations is due middle of 2019. Do note that the CHR only has recommendatory powers and cannot prosecute or hold any respondents accountable.   

This does not mean that climate change cases and litigation is not “ripe” for Philippine courts. The judiciary has shown its willingness and openness to decide cases in favor of the environment. Procedural tools such as the Rules can be channeled to look at climate change issues in the Philippines. One author notes that conditions are ripe in the Philippines for the use of climate change litigation as part of a broader advocacy strategy to press for governmental action. [7] This is also aligned with global efforts, particularly in the Asian region, to move beyond environmental adjudication and look at climate change litigation as the next big challenge for judges. [8]

What then are the potential “pioneer” climate change cases to be brought before Philippine courts? ClientEarth suggested five main legal grounds for filing cases on climate change: a) health and environmental laws; b) market regulation; c) loss and damage; d) duty of care for citizens; and e) long-term financial risk. UN Environment’s recent report on Global Climate Change Litigation saw two trends: one on climate refugees, and an increase in cases in the global South. [9]

One expert suggests using existing laws and procedures as potential climate change litigation cases. [10] Victims of the 2013 Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) can file anti-graft and corruption cases against negligent government officials – whose potential inaction led to the numerous deaths. Failure to implement rehabilitation plans and to properly use funds can also be an area of litigation. Consumer protection laws can also be used to enforce strict liability for design, manufacturing, and labelling requirements.   

One area of potential litigation will be the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures as outlined in the Philippines’ National Climate Change Action Plan, and even under the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Projects funded by the People’s Survival Fund under Republic Act No. 10174, or the way resources have been allocated can also be potential conflict areas. Given the infrastructure boom being pushed by the current administration, as well as projects and developments by the private sector, challenges on the grant of approval for projects, particularly environmental impact assessments and the policy bases for these can be expected.

Victims of natural disasters as a result of climate-induced events can seek compensation for loss and damages. Although identifying the respondent or accused may prove to be difficult, cases can potentially be brought before local or perhaps international tribunals. Displaced persons and families due to climate change (those who can constitute as internal climate refugees) can also seek redress and compensation for the loss of their homes and properties.      

So are climate change cases in the Philippines on the horizon? The answer is of course yes. The history of environmental cases and jurisprudence in the Philippines provides fertile ground for litigants to bring cases before the courts. The existing trove of environmental cases, and the active environmental movement in the country can be channeled to look into possible climate change cases, given the clear nexus between environmental issues and climate change. Standing is liberalized, the Rules provide speedy and effective remedies and access to justice, and judges are sensitized to the climate issues hounding the country. Other forums, such as in the CHR, also provide other means by which redress can be sought.

Climate change litigation has come of age globally, and the Philippine courts and legal system should anticipate an increase in cases and potential disputes. Although considered as nascent in the Philippines, there are many potential areas of litigation, particularly for implementation of government policies, liability for loss and damage, and fulfillment of international obligations. It would not be far-fetched to consider an environmental case, such as implementation of forestry laws, as a climate change case, given the known impact of forests on the phenomenon as carbon sinks and buffers for climate-related disasters. Bold decisions and norm-challenging ponencias on climate change from Philippine courts is not a far prospect – it is just a matter of time before another landmark judgement on climate change comes and for the court to be once again a beacon of hope in tackling this global challenge.      

About the Author

As a private legal practitioner and independent consultant from the Philippines, Grip is an advocate for environmental rights and justice, protection of biodiversity, promotion of human rights, development of good governance, and corporate sustainability. He has written several published works on environment and natural resources law and human rights. Grip has also worked with the United Nations Development Programme, the Philippine Judicial Academy, the Ateneo School of Government, the Council for the Welfare of Children, Ayala Corporation, AC Energy, the EcoWaste Coalition, Laban Konsyumer, Inc., and various NGOs and private companies.

Grip has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the Ateneo de Manila University. He earned his Juris Doctor Degree from the same institution and was the recipient of the St. Thomas More Most Distinguished Award for his graduating class.   

[1] Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, G.R. Nos. 171947-48, December 18, 2008, 574 SCRA 661.

[2] Resident Marine Mammals v. Reyes, G.R. No. 180771 April 21, 2015

[3] ISAAA v. Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Philippines), G.R. No. 20927, 8 December 2015; see Resolution, 26 July 2016.

[4] Arigo et., al. vs. Swift, et., al., G.R. No. 206510, September 16, 2014

[5] Segovia et., al. vs. the Climate Change Commission, ey., al., G.R. No. 211010, 7 March 2017

[6] Saguisag v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 212426, 12 January 2016.

[7] Jolene Lin, Litigating Climate Change in Asia, Climate Law 4, 142 (2014). The author adds: The focus is therefore likely to be on climate adaptation, not mitigation, because maladaptation raises the sort of issues that fit squarely within the environmental public interest litigation tradition in these jurisdictions: infringement of the constitutional right to life, enforcement of statutory rights and duties, and giving voice to marginalized or vulnerable sectors of society.

[8] See http://ajne.org/article/adb-office-general-counsel-launches-new-ta-develop-judicial-capacity-adjudicating-climate-change-issues

[9] These include: mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development; Paris Agreement commitments and resulting national legislation, including Nationally Determined Contributions; and REDD+ and Green Climate Fund resources and measures.

[10] See Ronaldo R Gutierrez, Developing Environment and Climate Change Jurisprudence: Philippine Experience, presentation during the South Asia Judicial Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change, 26 November 2016, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Preserving the Environment: The Filipino Approach

• by Amiel Pineda
• January 1, 2024 January 1, 2024

Imagine standing on the pristine shores of the Philippines, surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant marine life, and a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. As you take in the breathtaking beauty of this archipelago, you begin to wonder about the unique approach that Filipinos take in preserving their environment.

From traditional ecological practices rooted in indigenous wisdom to community-based conservation efforts and sustainable fishing techniques, the Filipino approach to environmental preservation is deeply ingrained in their cultural ethos.

But what exactly sets this approach apart, and how does it contribute to the larger global conversation on sustainability and conservation?

Key Takeaways

• Traditional ecological practices and indigenous environmental wisdom in the Philippines emphasize sustainable agriculture, forest management, and marine resource conservation.
• Community-based conservation efforts and community reforestation projects involve local communities in natural resource management, promoting sustainable practices and climate resilience.
• Sustainable fishing techniques in the Philippines prioritize selective gear, regulated fishing seasons and areas, and the implementation of marine protected areas to preserve habitats and ensure the livelihood of coastal communities.
• The Filipino approach to preserving the environment is deeply rooted in nature-connected spirituality and cultural influences, recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment, and promoting harmony and balance with nature through sacred rituals and traditions.

Traditional Ecological Practices

Traditional ecological practices in the Philippines encompass a rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge and customs passed down through generations to preserve the environment. These practices are rooted in a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and nature, emphasizing the importance of sustainable agriculture, forest management, and marine resource conservation.

Indigenous communities hold invaluable traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their sustainable use, contributing significantly to the preservation of biodiversity. These practices also play a crucial role in climate change adaptation programs, especially in coastal areas, where nature-based solutions are employed to protect ecosystems and enhance ecosystem services.

Community-Based Conservation Efforts

Community-based conservation efforts in the Philippines are built upon the rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge and customs. These efforts involve local communities in the management and protection of natural resources. The goal is to promote the active participation of community members in conservation planning and implementation. This involves emphasizing sustainable practices and climate resilience. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern strategies, community-based conservation efforts aim to build local capacity for sustainable resource use and environmental protection.

Coastal communities, in particular, play a crucial role in these conservation efforts. This is because they have a direct dependence on marine and coastal resources. Through these initiatives, a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment is fostered among local communities. This creates a profound connection to the land and sea. Moreover, this approach not only safeguards natural resources but also nurtures a deep cultural appreciation for the environment.

Sustainable Fishing Techniques

Employing sustainable fishing techniques is essential for ensuring the long-term health and abundance of marine resources in the Philippines. The Filipino approach to sustainable fishing includes:

• Using selective gear : This minimizes bycatch and avoids overfishing vulnerable species, thus preserving marine biodiversity.
• Regulating fishing seasons and areas : Allowing fish populations to replenish, ensuring environmentally sustainable coastal and marine resources management.
• Implementing marine protected areas and no-take zones : This helps in preserving fish habitats and biodiversity, contributing to sustainable fishing techniques.

In the Philippines, the cultural importance of the ocean and its natural resources is deeply ingrained. Employing sustainable fishing techniques not only ensures the livelihood of coastal communities but also fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the environment.

Indigenous Environmental Wisdom

You're about to discover the rich ecological practices and nature-connected spirituality of indigenous communities in the Philippines.

Their traditional knowledge emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and nature, guiding sustainable resource management.

Through their respect for the environment and promotion of harmony with nature, indigenous environmental wisdom plays a vital role in preserving biodiversity and fostering ecosystem resilience.

Tribal Ecological Practices

Tribal ecological practices in the Philippines embody a profound reverence for nature and a comprehensive approach to preserving the environment.

Here are three key aspects of tribal ecological practices:

• Traditional Knowledge : Indigenous communities possess time-honored wisdom and sustainable methods for managing natural resources and ecosystems. This knowledge is crucial for maintaining the delicate balance of the environment.
• Interconnectedness : These practices prioritize the interconnectedness of all living beings and the need for balanced, reciprocal relationships with the environment. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of preserving the natural world for future generations.
• Cultural Preservation : Tribal ecological practices highlight the importance of cultural preservation and community involvement in environmental stewardship. This ensures that the rich heritage and knowledge of indigenous communities are passed down and integrated into modern adaptive measures to address climate change and preserve the environment.

Nature-Connected Spirituality

Nature-connected spirituality, rooted in indigenous environmental wisdom, embodies a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment, continuing the profound respect for nature found in tribal ecological practices.

In the Philippines, this spirituality is deeply intertwined with the environment and natural resources, guiding indigenous communities in their approach to conservation and sustainable living.

Coastal areas, home to rich biodiversity and vital resources, hold particular significance in this spiritual connection. With environmental challenges such as climate change impacting these regions, the Philippine government is recognizing the value of indigenous environmental wisdom in addressing issues like the protection of coral reefs.

The sacred rituals, ceremonies, and traditions of indigenous communities serve as vital tools in promoting harmony and balance with nature, offering valuable insights into sustainable resource management and conservation.

Sustainable Resource Management

Indigenous communities in the Philippines hold a wealth of traditional knowledge and practices that emphasize the interconnectedness of living beings and the environment, guiding them in sustainable resource management. This wisdom, passed down through generations, emphasizes the delicate balance between humans and nature, promoting respectful and sustainable use of natural resources.

Indigenous resource management practices prioritize biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience, recognizing the intrinsic value of all living beings. As climate change continues to impact the Philippines, with increased frequency of extreme weather events and rising sea levels, indigenous knowledge offers valuable insights into adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Reforestation Initiatives

If you want to know how the Philippines is working to restore its forests, look no further than its reforestation initiatives. These efforts involve planting indigenous tree species and engaging local communities in tree-planting campaigns.

Not only do these projects aim to enhance biodiversity and combat climate change, but they also promote sustainable forest management practices.

Tree-Planting Campaigns

Engaging in tree-planting campaigns is a vital step in the reforestation efforts to preserve the environment and restore natural habitats in the Philippines. Here's why it matters:

• Mitigating Climate Change : Tree-planting campaigns play a crucial role in sequestering carbon dioxide, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Protecting Future Generations : By participating in tree-planting initiatives, you contribute to preserving the environment for future generations, safeguarding against sea level rise and extreme weather events.
• Promoting Sustainable Energy Sources : Reforestation through tree-planting not only aids in biodiversity and preventing soil erosion but also supports the transition to sustainable energy sources, fostering a greener and healthier planet for all.

Participating in tree-planting campaigns fosters a sense of belonging, as it unites communities in a collective effort to protect and nurture the environment for generations to come.

Indigenous Tree Species

When considering reforestation initiatives in the Philippines, the preservation and planting of indigenous tree species are pivotal for enhancing biodiversity and ecological balance. Indigenous tree species play a vital role in reforestation efforts, contributing to the restoration of diverse and resilient ecosystems. These trees are well-suited to local environmental conditions, making them more adaptable and sustainable for reforestation projects. Moreover, the use of indigenous tree species helps in conserving traditional knowledge and practices of local communities in managing forests. By prioritizing indigenous tree species in reforestation, the Philippines contributes to climate change mitigation and provides habitat for wildlife, ensuring long-term environmental benefits. Here is a quick overview of the importance of indigenous tree species in reforestation:

Community Reforestation Projects

Community reforestation projects in the Philippines engage local communities in actively participating in the restoration and preservation of forest ecosystems. This participatory approach fosters a strong sense of ownership and responsibility for the protection of natural resources.

Reforestation initiatives are vital for combating deforestation, safeguarding watersheds, and enhancing biodiversity by planting native tree species. Furthermore, these projects provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities through activities such as eco-tourism and sustainable forest management.

Biodiversity Preservation Methods

Implementing the Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program has been a crucial step in addressing ocean plastic pollution and strengthening waste management systems in the Philippines . By promoting the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and enhancing solid waste management, the Philippines aims to reduce plastic waste ending up in the ocean. The Fish Right program supports sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystem management, benefiting over 2 million people. Additionally, the investment in sustainable interventions for biodiversity, oceans, and landscapes (SIBOL) aims to protect and conserve biodiversity and its benefits to Filipino communities. Moreover, the country is strengthening forestry and climate change support programs to combat illegal wildlife trade and enhance forest protection. These initiatives are vital in Southeast Asia, where millions of tons of plastic end up in the oceans, impacting marine biodiversity and exacerbating climate change.

Cultural Influences on Environmental Protection

Cultural traditions and beliefs deeply influence the environmental protection efforts in the Philippines, shaping the attitudes and behaviors of the population towards sustainability and conservation.

• Respect for Nature : Filipinos have a strong cultural connection to nature, with beliefs that emphasize the interconnectedness of all living things, fostering a deep respect for the environment and promoting sustainable practices.
• Resilience in the Face of Natural Disasters : The country's highly vulnerable position to natural disasters has led to a cultural understanding of the importance of preserving the environment for future generations, encouraging proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change.
• Community-Centric Approaches : Cultural influences have fostered a strong sense of community and bayanihan (community unity) in environmental protection efforts, leading to initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable resource management and conservation practices within local communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the philippines doing for the environment.

The Philippines is promoting community initiatives, sustainable practices, biodiversity conservation, eco-friendly solutions, environmental education, and green technology. These efforts aim to protect the environment and create a sustainable future for all.

Do Filipinos Care for the Environment?

You care for the environment through various environmental initiatives, community involvement, and sustainable practices. Your cultural impact, environmental education, and conservation efforts demonstrate your commitment to preserving the environment for future generations.

Why Is the Philippine Laws on Environmental Protection Are Important to the Filipino People?

The Philippine laws on environmental protection are important to you because they emphasize the significance of conservation, raise awareness, and instill a sense of responsibility. This legislation has a profound impact on your cultural identity and the preservation of natural resources.

What Is the Philippines Main Strategy in Responding to Climate Change?

The Philippines' main strategy in responding to climate change involves adaptation measures, sustainable practices, community involvement, and eco-friendly initiatives. Embracing renewable energy, disaster preparedness, and cultural resilience are vital components of this comprehensive approach.

In conclusion, the Filipino approach to preserving the environment is deeply rooted in traditional ecological practices, community-based conservation efforts, and sustainable fishing techniques. The country also values indigenous environmental wisdom, reforestation initiatives, and biodiversity preservation methods. Cultural influences have played a significant role in shaping the Filipino perspective on environmental protection.

Through collaboration and dedication, the Philippines is making strides in addressing pollution, climate change, and sustainable development. The country's efforts are a testament to its rich cultural heritage and strong commitment to protecting the natural world for future generations.

Manila Bay: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities

Cite this chapter.

• G. S. Jacinto 2 ,
• R. V. Azanza 2 ,
• I. B. Velasquez 2 &
• F. P. Siringan 3  

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10 Citations

4. Conclusion

Manila Bay has a wide range of environmental problems that need to be addressed — from land-based and sea-based sources of pollution to harmful algal blooms, subsidence and groundwater extraction, overexploitation of fishery resources, and habitat conversion and degradation. However, there are reasons to be optimistic. There is greater accountability expected of public officials vis-a-vis environmental laws, significant and increasing infrastructure investments to treat and reduce domestic sewage discharges into the bay, the implementation of the Manila Bay Environmental Management Project, and the adoption the concept and practice of ICM by local government units and communities around Manila Bay.

The Manila Bay Coastal Strategy’s response to the many issues confronting the bay is articulated as follows:

“Manila Bay stakeholders are partners in: raising public awareness and participation, protecting human welfare, ecological, historical, cultural and economic features, mitigating environmental risks, implementing effective policies and environment management and governance, and developing areas and opportunities in a sustainable manner.”

Time will tell if the envisioned response will be pursued and continued so that Manila Bay will revert to be a clean, safe, wholesome, and productive ecosystem for the present and future generations.

We acknowledge with thanks the help and assistance of Dr. Laura David, Roselle Ty Borja, and Iris Uy Baula. We are also grateful to the Philippine Coast Guard for giving us access to the most recent oil spill data.

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Jacinto, G.S., Azanza, R.V., Velasquez, I.B., Siringan, F.P. (2006). Manila Bay: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities. In: Wolanski, E. (eds) The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3655-8_19

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Indigenous peoples in the Philippines leading conservation efforts

In the Philippines, conserving unique biodiversity relies on the knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities who live in direct contact with nature.

Indigenous leadership

An estimated 85% of the country’s key biodiversity areas are within ancestral domains.

In 2017, Philippine Association for Inter-Cultural Development, Inc. (PAFID) came up with this figure by comparing the data from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on approved Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) and existing claims from Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities with the remaining forest cover data of the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (FMB-DENR).

This figure suggests that governance by IP communities is instrumental in protecting and conserving the remaining natural forests of the Philippines.

These areas are Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs). ICCAs may be sacred spaces or ritual grounds (such as sacred forests and mountains, indigenous territories, and cultural landscapes or seascapes).

The primary factors that threaten these areas and erode the role of indigenous leadership in conservation, are habitat loss and degradation; erosion of traditional governance – including loss of cultural links, traditional knowledge, and/or management practices; unsustainable tourism; and poorly planned infrastructure development.

Ancestral domain

Indigenous Peoples’ rights have frequently been overlooked in conservation efforts, but since 2010 UNDP has been working with 16 indigenous communities in the Philippines to delineate boundaries and map precious ecosystems, inventory resources, and document indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices.

In 2016, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), launched the UNDP-supported, and GEF-financed Philippine ICCA Project. The Project is working to strengthen the conservation, protection, and management of key biodiversity sites by institutionalising ICCAs.

Building momentum

The DENR through the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) has been implementing projects to support and recognize the governance and management of ICCAs in partnership with the UNDP-GEF. This is consonant with the DENR’s vision of inclusive conservation to protect the country’s biodiversity.

The Philippine ICCA Project is building on progress made in an earlier UNDP-supported, GEF-financed project called New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) which laid the foundations for recognition of ICCAs as part of the expanded protected area system.

NewCAPP worked with six IP communities on the documentation and recognition of their ICCAs, including, the Maeng and Banao in Abra, the Agta of General Nakar in Quezon, the Ayta of Maporac in Zamables, the Buhid Mangyan in Mts. Iglit-Baco in Mindoro and the Menuvu of Pangantucan in Mt. Kalatungan.

In addition to paving the way for the Philippine ICCA Project, the NewCAPP project triggered adoption of ICCA work by other NGOs and funding agencies such as USAID.

The Philippine ICCA Project focuses on 10 areas that have been identified as high in species richness or otherwise key in biodiversity. 

These areas can be found in Mount Taungay in Tinglayan, Kalinga, Mount Polis in Tinoc, Ifugao, Imugan in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Kanawan in Morong, Bataan, Engongot CADT in Aurora, Balabac in Palawan, Mount Kimangkil in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, Mount Apo in Magpet, North Cotabato, Mount Diwata in Agusan del Sur, and South Diwata-Bislig KBA in Surigao del Sur.

Know your rights

Previously there was no law that explicitly refers to the ICCA concept in the Philippines.

But, with project support, that is changing.

‘The ICCA Declaration is our contribution to address climate change’. – Helen Pojaras of Anticala, Butuan City

The “ICCA Declaration” is part of the IP communities’ bid to protect important cultural and biological sites within their ancestral domains from destruction and degradation by designating them as ICCAs.

With project support, project participants successfully lobbied to include ICCAs in the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (ENIPAS) Law of 2018.

 A salient provision on ICCA was included in the ENIPAS Law, specifically stating that:

‘ICCs and IPs concerned shall have the responsibility to govern, maintain, develop, protect and conserve such areas in accordance to their indigenous knowledge, systems, practices and customary laws with full and effective assistance from NCIP, DENR, and other concerned government agencies’.

Fight for your rights

As part of the ICCA Project’s efforts in supporting laws recognising ICCAs in Protected Areas, programmatic activities included: revising Ancestral Domains Sustainable Development and Protection Plan guidelines, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board guidelines addressing Community Conservation Plans in Local Government Units’ Comprehensive Land Use Plans, and vetting DENR guidelines on NIPAS to ensure recognition of ICCAs in protected areas.

The project also helped strengthen indigenous leaders’ knowledge and skills in disseminating global information for decision making, articulating their needs and interests, and participating in policy and legislative development.

Making connections

To promote the development and implementation of co-management and ICCAs, and to build on progress made in the Philippines’ Protected Area system, the project coordinated a Myanmar-Philippines Learning Exchange on ICCA.

This learning exchange coordinated a 16-member Myanmar delegation (composed of government officials, CSO members, ethnic group representatives, and UNDP Myanmar personnel) and facilitated discussions with the leaders of the Ikalahan/Kalanguya IPs in Imugan, Nueva Viscaya, and the governor of the province. 

Amplifying solutions

Since 2016, the project has demarcated more than 150,000 hectares of ICCAs in key biodiversity areas, inventoried vital flora and fauna living within it, documented the communities’ traditional resource management methods, and launched 10 biodiversity-friendly livelihoods that benefitted 50,0000 individuals (46% of whom are women).

Additionally, these inventories have helped Indigenous Peoples to recognise and designate natural resources over which they have stewardship, resulting in increased control, surveillance, and enforcement.

The ICCA Project exceeded its target of documented, declared, and registered ICCAs by 130%, or 154,868 hectares covered (against a project target of 118,848 hectares). This includes terrestrial sites and ancestral waters.

UNDP, through NewCAPP and the Philippine ICCA Project, has assisted the establishment and strengthening of the  Bukluran ng mga Pamayanang Nangangalaga sa Kalikasan  National ICCA Network. Simply known as Bukluran, it is composed of leaders of IP communities that are now working to advance the Global ICCA Consortium work and serve as the frontline in advocating for ICCA documentation, mapping, recognition and registration.

This piece was originally posted by UNDP Ecosystems & Biodiversity on Exposure .

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