Philippines

DENR to lead celebration of International Day for Biodiversity - article by the Philippine Information Agency

‘Selfie for Biodiversity’ photo contest
An online photo contest dubbed “Protecting the Reservoir of Life, Selfie for Biodiversity” was launched recently by the DENR- Biodiversity Management Bureau (formerly PAWB) as part of this year’s celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.

The photo contest is open to all selfie-loving individuals residing in the Philippines, male or female, aged at least 13 and above. To join, participants must first LIKE the “Selfie for Biodiversity” Facebook Fanpage then submit their entries together with a duly filled up registration form. Photos can either highlight the beauty and uniqueness of the country’s biodiversity, or show activities that can contribute to the protection of our biological diversity.

Youth Summer Camp
Among other activities, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) also held a Youth Summer Camp (YSC) on May 22-23, 2014, at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, where 100 high school students and teachers from public high schools in Quezon City are invited. The DENR Youth Desk, the BMB IEC Core Group, and the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society assist the BMB Nature Recreation and Extension Division in the camp activities. Read more ->

Fisherfolk assembly in Lianga and coastal clean-up in Samal
Rare Philippines is organizing a fisherfolk assembly in Lianga and coastal clean-up in Samal. The team is also in contact with the national government about helping with other activities.

Rare, together with its implementing partners, is organizing several community- based activities in the Philippines to raise awareness about the importance of island biodiversity.

Mural Painting in Panabo City, 19-22 May 2014 and Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal, 15-21 May 2014
Rare working with Davao del Norte State College, city governments of Panabo and Island Garden City of Samal and the Department of Education will leverage the National Schools Maintenance Week or Brigada Eskwela celebration to engage parents, teachers, students and community members in a school wall mural painting in 3 different locations in Panabo City and Island Garden City of Samal. The mural will depict the importance of the sustainable fishing methods in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems and food security among the fishing communities. During the opening program, Rare will highlight the importance of island biodiversity and explain the role of the community in protecting marine and coastal life.

MPA Network Planning in Bindoy, Ayungon, 19-20 May and BATMan Alliance, 21 May 2014
Rare will gather selected fisherfolk leaders, policy-makers and stakeholders in the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape to formulate a joint management plan to connect the marine protected areas in 4 coastal municipalities. During the planning sessions, Rare will take the opportunity to communicate the importance of island biodiversity.

Marine Protected Area Effectiveness Assessment of Bindoy Marine Protected Areas, 22 May 2014
Rare will facilitate the assessment of various marine protected areas in the municipality of Bindoy in order to determine levels of intervention needed for these MPAs to achieve their long-term conservation result. Rare will leverage this activity to share the importance of island biodiversity as part of the IDB."

Promoting tree growing in the business sector
Planting a tree is a simple task. One just needs a seedling, a shovel, a planting site, and ample sunlight and water. Growing a tree, however, is not as easy. It takes commitment to ensure that the seedlings planted will actually grow into trees.