Philippines stands firm on its commitment to increase financing for protected areas

Story written by Angelique Ogena, BIOFIN Philippines Information and Communications Assistant; Edited by Anabelle Plantilla, BIOFIN Philippines Project Manager and Annabelle Trinidad, BIOFIN Global Technical Advisor

Manila, Philippines – The Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018 received a total of Php 2 billion (or about USD 40.6 million)  for its implementation this year, a part of which was a result of BIOFIN Philippines’ finance solution aiming to mobilize funding for  protected areas from public resources. This fruitful initiative was a collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Office of Congresswoman Josephine Sato, a well-known legislative BIOFIN Champion and partner.

Funding for 107 legislated protected areas was assured by the inclusion of a Php 1.44 billion budget in the National Expenditure Program, and an additional Php 500 million allocation advocated by the House of Representatives and the Biodiversity Management Bureau of DENR. With BIOFIN support, a Legislators’ Forum convened House representatives and encouraged them to lobby for increased budget for the ENIPAS roll out. “We, the representatives of the people having very important protected areas within our respective districts, whether marine or terrestrial national parks, strict nature reserves, protected landscapes or seascapes, cannot simply watch idly by,” Sato speaking to her co-legislators during the forum. “Needless to say, it is high time for us to be more involved, to more actively participate, not just at the policy level, but equally important, at the financing side as well” she added.

The Philippine Senate also approved an additional Php 90-million for Samar Island Natural Park Protected Area's budget.

The ENIPAS Act of 2018

The ENIPAS Act, which was signed into law in 2018 and its development supported by BIOFIN, declared 94 national parks as new protected areas expanding this to a total of 107 legislated protected areas. A protected area that is legislated puts it under the management of the government ensuring a regular annual budget for its conservation. The Act also allows for the collection of funds from environmental compliance certificates (ECC) and special use permits from industries operating within the protected areas and imposes stricter fines for violators. These funds go straight to a trust fund called the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF), which is then channeled back for conservation projects. 

Protected Areas’ valuable provisions

These protected areas are home to some of the country’s most iconic species, such as the Philippine Eagle, the Tarsier and the Tamaraw, a wild type of buffalo with a remaining global population of under 500. They are also an important asset for the country’s tourism sector, including many marine areas. The protected areas house unique biological features and ecological values essential to sustain human, plant and animal life and development. Its biological features provide a variety of goods and services to support sustainable development such as food, clean water and air, medicine, protection from the harmful effects of climate change, livelihoods and even psychological health benefits, among others.  The economic value of ecosystem services in the Philippines is estimated at Php 2.3 trillion (USD 46 billion) ranging from timber and fuelwood production, water provision, ecotourism, carbon sequestration, flood prevention, and fishery production, among others. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries are among the biggest industries generating substantial revenues from genetic resources. Global sales of pharmaceuticals derived from genetic resources range from USD 75 billion to USD 150 billion. The net present value from bioprospecting of Philippines’ endemic species in closed canopy forests per annum in perpetuity amounts to USD 39.8 million. It is therefore imperative to recognize the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural, biological, and physical diversities of the environment that can be found in these areas.

Increasing financing for Protected Areas

Coupled with the investment program are two other finance solutions: an awareness raising campaign called the Year of the Protected Areas and Public Private Partnerships. An information campaign called the Year of the Protected Areas or YoPA Campaign is a finance solution being implemented by BIOFIN and is underway. Talks with the Tourism and Interior and Local Government departments are on-going to iron out details of the said campaign, which will be led by the DENR together with BIOFIN.  This finance solution will increase the public’s awareness on and appreciation of protected areas but at the same time increase the revenues through protected area visitations – revenues which can be ploughed back to the protection and conservation of these areas.

Meanwhile, Public-private Partnership (PPP) is a finance solution that taps investments by the private sector in specific protected areas.  BIOFIN also seeks to develop a refined PPP policy for protected areas in close collaboration with the PPP Center of the Philippines.

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Photo credits: DENR-MIMAROPA Region