The 4th Philippine National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the variety of life plants, animals and microorganisms
on Earth, shaped by billions of years of evolution and, increasingly, by human influence.
1992 - The United Nations, recognizing the importance of biodiversity, adopted the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD). This global treaty was signed and ratified by over 150 countries,
including the Philippines.
It focuses on the assessment of the countrys progress towards meeting the 2010 biodiversity
target of achieving a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global,
regional and national levels, consistent with the strategic plan for the CBD.

Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Areasand Wildlife Bureau
(DENR-PAWB)
United Nations Development Programmed- Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF)
Natural Resources Capacity and Operational Enhancement (ENR-CORE)
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).

2.0 overview of status trends& threats (Philippines)
One of 17 mega biodiversity countries (containing 2/3 of the earths biodiversity and
about 70-80% of the worlds plant and animal species) due to its geographical isolation,
diverse habitats and high rates of endemism (native, restricted or unique to a certain
country or area).
The Philippines is 5th in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the worlds flora.
Species endemism is very high, covering at least 25 genera of plants and 49% of
terrestrial wildlife. The country also ranks 4th in bird endemism. In terms of fishes, there are
about 3,214 (incomplete list), with about 121 endemic and 76 threatened species.

1Protecting components of biodiversity
3 components of biodiversity - ecosystems, species and genes
The increase in forest cover is reportedly due to the a) reforestation program of the
government and the private sector, particularly the development of forest plantations and
management of natural forest areas; and b) forest policy shifts, initiatives and public awareness
on sustainable forest management (2007 Philippines Mid-term Progress Report on the MDG).
Of 206 conservation priority areas and species conservation priorities, 128 terrestrial KBAs
have been identified for 209 globally threatened and 419 endemic species of freshwater fishes,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and 62 congregatory bird species. Sixty-six (66) marine
KBAs are being proposed as priority areas that need research and management interventions.
Terrestrial biodiversity corridors in Eastern Mindanao, Palawan and Sierra Madre, and marine
biodiversity corridors in Cagayan Ridge, Balabac Strait, the Tri- National Sea Turtle and Verde
Passage were also identified to provide habitat and dispersal routes for wildlife, maintain
ecological processes, and provide livelihood. Biodiversity corridors link KBAs through biodiversity
friendly use of land, coasts and seas.
Marine protected areas (MPAs)
The number of MPAs Increased from 439(existing) and 139(proposed) in 1997to an
estimated 1, 169 (existing) and 164 (proposed) MPAs in 2007.
Despite the increasing number of MPAs, many locally managed MPAs such as those
declared under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Fisheries Code have yet to prove significant
contribution to biodiversity conservation; thus, efforts to establish MPAs and MPA networks in
areas of high biodiversity such as in identified marine conservation priority areas should be
pursued. Several MPAs declared as part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System
(NIPAS) under Republic Act No. 7586 also include larger ecosystems which encompass vital
marine areas within the jurisdiction of several municipalities.
Mangrove cover has increased from 120,000 hectares in 1995 to 210,497 hectares in 2008
(based on 2002 satellite data validated by ground surveys).
Seagrasses are the least studied among tropical coastal ecosystems. The Philippines has
the second highest seagrass diversity in the world, second only to Australia. It contributes
about 19 species or about 55% of the number of species in East Asia. In the last 50 years,
about 30-40% of seagrass areas in the Philippines have been lost. Recent data shows that
seagrasses in the Philippines are now distributed over an area about 27,282 sq km (Fortes,
2008). A seagrass demonstration site has been established in Bolinao, Pangasinan and a
seagrass sanctuary in Narra, Palawan to showcase the achievements and lessons
learned in their management.

Despite the threats, however, new species have been discovered in the past 5 years. These new
discoveries include the Calayan rail (Galirallus calayanensis), the Camiguin hanging parrot
(Loriculus camiguinensis), the Philippine forest mouse (Apomys camiguinensis) and the Rafflesia
mira.
Baguan Island Marine Turtle Sanctuary (BIMTS)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
In 2008, 513,759 board feet of illegally cut logs valued at PhP 7.9 million were confiscated in the
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park by an inter-agency Provincial Task Force on forest protection.

2Promoting sustainable use
The total quantity and value of fish production from commercial, municipal and
aquaculture operations increased from 2.796 million metric tons valued at PhP 83.275
million in 1996 to 4,711 million metric tons valued at PhP 180.545 million in 2007.

3Addressing threats to biodiversity to support and sustain human well-being
The Operational Plan of the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy was adopted in 2006, covering
the entire Manila Bay Region consisting of the National Capital Region (NCR), 4 coastal
provinces (Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite and Pampanga) and 4 non-coastal provinces in
watershed areas (Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal and Tarlac).
The Bataan Coastal Strategy formulated in 2002 was updated and adopted as the
Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy in 2006. A Coastal Land and Sea-use Zoning
Plan was also approved by the Provincial Board in 2006 and has become a model for
other LGUs
In Samar Island, a 10-year consolidated management plan-cum-manual for the Samar
Island National Park (SINP), the largest protected area in the Visayas, was developed on
the principle of integrated watershed management through a participatory process
facilitated by the Samar Island Biodiversity Project (SIBP)
In Laguna de Bay, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has engaged in
partnerships for co-managing Laguna de Bays resources and co-facilitating its
development.
River Basin Master Plans are being prepared for major rivers such as the Cagayan River
and Cebu River, and the Integrated River Basin Action Plans of Meycauayan-Obando-
Marilao, Lake Lanao and Pasig-Laguna Lake- Manila Bay have been completed as of
August 2008.


4Maintaining goods and services from biodiversity to support human well-being
Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in the Philippines and is one of Southeast Asias largest inland
water bodies. It is home to 34 species of zooplankton which belong to three major groups:
Rotifera (23), Cladocera (7), and Copepoda (4) (DENR-EMB, 2006). 33 fish species consisting of
14 indigenous (5 of which are migratory) and 19 exotic or introduced species are found in the
Lake. These include high commercial value fish like milkfish, tilapia, carp, catfish, ayungin, and
biya (LDBE Monitor, 2007). Various other species of plants and animals (vascular plants, algae,
vertebrate fauna, crustaceans, and mollusks), including 48% of flowering plants and ferns
endemic to the country are found in the lake basin. Recent findings from the Philippines
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) Sub-global Assessment concluded that:
1) water quality has deteriorated due to pollution from various sources;
2) fish production is declining but still viable through aquaculture technology; fish production in
rivers is declining due to pollution;
3) rice production is declining mainly due to land conversion and reduction in rice areas;
4) biodiversity in the forest ecosystem is still good but is also declining due to agricultural
encroachment, development projects and timber poaching (Lasco and Espaldon, 2005).

5Protecting traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, and ensuring the fair and
equitable sharing of benefits from their use
Portions of the Philippine forestlands are covered by ancestral domain claims. In 2008, 38
Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) have been approved, compared to only 58 from
2002 to 2007. As of December 2008, CADTs cover about 2.7 million hectares benefiting about
550,511 beneficiaries. 189 Certificates of Ancestral Land Titles (CALTs) were also approved,
covering an area of roughly 7,443 hectares and benefiting 3,893 beneficiaries.
ICCs/IPs are required to prepare their own Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development
and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs) in accordance with their customary practices, laws and
traditions that will guide the planning, implementation and monitoring of the use of
indigenous knowledge systems that promote and preserve biodiversity resources.
The NCIP has also documented the indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP)
of 16 groups of ICCs/IPs nationwide to better understand their norms, customs and
traditions, belief systems, and institutions.

6Ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of
Article 15 of the CBD recognizes the sovereign rights of member countries over their own
natural resources, including the authority to determine access to genetic resources and
benefit-sharing. In 1995, the Philippines became one of the first countries to come up with
a policy on access and benefit sharing through the issuance of Executive Order 247. This
was subsequently amended by a Joint Administrative Order No. 1 of the DENR,
Department of Agriculture (DA), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD),
and the NCIP or the Guidelines for Bioprospecting* Activities in the Philippines issued in
2005 pursuant to Section 14 of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation
and Protection Act and its implementing rules and regulations. Complementing this
regulation is the issuance in 2006 of NCIP Administrative Order No. 01 or the Free and Prior
Informed Consent (FPIC) Guidelines of 2006.

7Ensuring the provision of adequate resources for biodiversity conservation

In addition to the governments annual budget appropriations and other development
assistance (ODA)
received from external sources, financial resources for biodiversity-related initiatives have been
augmented by the Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF) created under the NIPAS Act.
Environmental user fees paid by visitors are channeled into the IPAF, which has become a major
source of fund to sustain activities such as MPA maintenance and some small local businesses in
the area (Eisma-Osorio, 2008). As of May 2008, the IPAF has generated about PhP 139.45 million
in revenues to sustain operations of protected areas
Recommendations for action
Policy
Set national baselines, measurable targets and indicators a) to assess progress towards
meeting the 2010 biodiversity goal; b) to guide decision-making; and c) in anticipation of
the next CBD report and other similar reports.
Make as a top priority the establishment of a coordinated and sustained biodiversity
monitoring and evaluation system.
Assess the effectiveness of the management of existing protected areas and ensure that
all protected areas have their comprehensive Protected Area Management Plans;
Adopt a framework that will help assess extent and effectiveness of mainstreaming
biodiversity considerations in the plans and programs of government, research and
academic institutions, civil society organizations, business sector and other stakeholders.
Agree on standard definitions (e.g. forest cover) to avoid conflicts in interpretation;
improve the quality and usefulness of information provided by agencies; and allow cross-
checking and validation of data among stakeholders.
Ensure synergy, complementation and harmonization among plans and programs in the
landscape, seascape and/or political administrative units to maximize resources and
improve governance.
Harmonize NIPAS, IPRA, Fisheries Code and the Local Government Code, and establish a
successful coordinating mechanism among relevant institutions in the implementation of
these laws.
Knowledge Management and Information, Education and Communication
Continually generate and update biodiversity information and create an information
system that will guide and facilitate decision-making, including on agricultural
biodiversity and indigenous knowledge systems and practices for which data is limited.
Encourage the use of and contribute information to the national Clearing House
Mechanism to promote biodiversity information sharing among stakeholders.
Integrate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the school curricula at all
levels, and develop specialized courses on biodiversity for practitioners and policy
makers.
Capacity Building
Build taxonomic and scientific monitoring capacities in the country.
Strengthen the capacity of LGUs in addressing biodiversity-related concerns, and
inintegrating and mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into local
plans and programs.
Encourage and increase the participation of stakeholders, especially those in the
agriculture sector and related fields, in discussions on biodiversity.
Financing biodiversity
Explore innovative financing options, including the potential of biodiversity-related
projects to be included in the proposed debt conversion for MDG programs and
projects.
Explore other methods to generate income apart from environmental user fees in order
to sustain biodiversity conservation efforts.