Philippines - Details

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

The Philippines’ coastal and marine habitats comprise at least 4,951 species of plants and animals. 1,396 species are economically important, 403 species are flagship species, 145 species are under threat, and 15 species are listed as endangered. In addition, 16 fish species are endemic to the country. The coral reefs, home to 3,967 species, are particularly diverse. Sea grass beds contain 481 species and mangroves contain 370 species. The country ranks second in coral and coral reef fish diversity with its 381 coral species and 1,030 species of fish. The Philippines also rank second in terms of sea grass species richness (16 taxa). The country’s wetlands possess rich flora (1,616 species) and fauna (3,308 species). Moreover, 1,210 species of plants are said to be important for agriculture.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The NBSAP focuses on 6 strategies: (1) expanding and improving knowledge on the characteristics, uses, and values of biological diversity; (2) enhancing and integrating existing and planned biodiversity conservation efforts with emphasis on in-situ activities; (3) formulating an integrated policy and legislative framework for the conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of the benefits of biological diversity; (4) strengthening capacities for integrating and institutionalizing biodiversity conservation and management; (5) mobilizing and integrating information, education and communication (IEC) system for biodiversity conservation; and (6) advocating stronger international cooperation on biodiversity conservation and management.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan on national website (English)

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Under the General Plan of Action of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 50 protected areas have been identified under NIPAS from 2005-2010. In addition, 20 areas have to be designated as critical habitats. The Philippines’ Biodiversity Conservation Priorities (PBCP) Project has come up with a list of conservation priority areas (170 Terrestrial and 36 Marine Conservation Priority Areas have been identified). Four areas related to the country’s inland waters are to be established as protected areas under National Integrated Protected Areas Act (NIPAS) and as critical habitats under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

101 Protected Areas have been proclaimed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System comprising a total area of approximately 3.2 million hectares. This constitutes an increase of about 792 million hectares.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The Philippines have supported indigenous and local communities in undertaking field studies to determine the status, trends and threats related to traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. The component called “Capacity Assessment for the Preservation and Maintenance of Biodiversity-Related Knowledge of Indigenous and Local Communities” attempted to document biodiversity-related knowledge of indigenous and local communities. A few capacity building measures have been created. Relevant provisions are contained in the 1987 Philippine Constitution: 1) to recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development; and, 2) to protect, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and national development programs, the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and natural well-being. The Philippine Congress enacted the Indigenous People’s (IPs) Rights Act in 1997, which is the embodiment of the long struggle for the recognition of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples to their ancestral domain, cultural identity and to protect their rights to exclude others in exploiting natural resources within their ancestral domain.