EDC, DENR, USAID ink accord on forest, biodiversity protection

Published November 24, 2016, 10:01 PM
http://business.mb.com.ph/2016/11/24/edc-denr-usaid-ink-accord-on-forest-biodiversity-protection/

The Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the US Embassy in the Philippines’ United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently forged an agreement for the enhanced protection of the country’s biodiversity.

The agreement among the three entities creates a partnership, called the Global Development Alliance (GDA), to apply the LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System in selected EDC forest sites.

LAWIN is an innovation that was jointly developed by DENR and USAID to address threats to the country’s biodiversity. It enables forest and biodiversity protection authorities to regularly monitor, analyze and respond to threats to the natural forests.

LAWIN is being spearheaded by the DENR as part of the national strategy for forest and biodiversity protection in the Philippines. EDC, the country’s largest geothermal energy company, is the first corporate partner that will use the system for watershed protection.

Under the GDA partnership, nearly 24,000 hectares of natural forest within EDC’s areas of operation will be placed under improved protection through LAWIN. The covered EDC sites included three conservation areas – Mount Apo in North Cotabato, Leyte and Negros Occidental.

EDC will also contribute more than R2 million in cash to support the protection and conservation efforts, while USAID will provide over R2 million in the form of technical assistance to help establish and implement LAWIN.

LAWIN combines science-based planning, user-friendly technology, and indigenous knowledge to protect forests and enable communities and the governments to focus conservation efforts in areas where they are needed most.

LAWIN is part of a larger DENR-USAID project, called the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program.

According to Undersecretary Leones, the government adopted LAWIN on March 10, 2016, as part of the national strategy for forest and biodiversity protection. “LAWIN improves the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the forest protection efforts,” said Atty. Leones.

To date, more than 2,000 DENR personnel and community forest guards responsible for forest protection nationwide have been trained to apply the system and help protect the remaining natural forests in their respective regions.

Through LAWIN, more than 3,000 kilometers of patrol distance have been covered and over 2,000 sightings of 17 pre-defined forest threats recorded. Analysis of these patrol data show, that the top three threats to natural forests are illegal tree cutting, annual perennial farming, and the establishment of huts or houses in forest areas. Under the LAWIN system, appropriate responses are developed to effectively address observed threats.

Mr. Gustafson welcomed the agreement. “We believe, that partnerships with the private sector are a key part of the solution to address the complex issue of forest and biodiversity conservation,” said Jeremy Gustafson, Director of USAID’s Environment Office. “For USAID, we see this partnership as a significant milestone contributing to the sustainability of LAWIN and demonstrating its capacity to connect different stakeholders in pursuit of concrete actions to address environmental challenges,” Gustafson stressed.

Tantoco likewise praised the agreement. “EDC is the country’s largest producer of geothermal energy in the country with 1,169 megawatts in installed geothermal capacity,” said Tantoco. “Harnessing geothermal energy requires water, and since adequate water supply depends on healthy forests, forest protection is a paramount EDC priority,” Tantoco added.

EDC’s goal of ensuring a sustainable supply of renewable energy aligns with USAID’s strategic development objective in the Philippines to protect natural forests and the biodiversity within.

For EDC, the partnership provides opportunities to strengthen the sustainability of the company’s renewable energy resources, and enhance environmental competitiveness of business practices. “I am proud to be associated with LAWIN and with this partnership,” concluded Tantoco.

For DENR and USAID, the partnership helps to expand the implementation of LAWIN in three selected conservation areas which strengthens forest protection measures in the Philippines.

The agreement will preserve the forest’s ability to provide local communities with water, be a source of energy and livelihood opportunities, and increase communities’ climate change resilience. As such, the partnership provides a win-win solution for all partners.