Improved ecosystem services and reduced vulnerability to climate change through ecosystem-based management and application of ecosystem values in two river basins in the Philippines

River basins offer habitats for endangered species while also offering a means of subsistence for people in the catchment area and beyond. Apart from a local supply of water, relevant economic sectors include agriculture, energy, healthcare and the environment. The project used ecosystem-based approaches to support national strategies while helping to improve their coordination and integration. This reduced the number of at-risk households while also improving the availability and quality of water in selected river basin areas. The project provided innovative ideas for improving the fragmented water governance system while designing attractive ecosystem service segments for private enterprise. Insights into climate insurance products were adapted to local requirements, and understood by regulators and the public alike as a complementary strategy for handling climate and residual risks.

Project data

Countries: Philippines
IKI funding: 4,600,000.00 €
Duration: 03/2019 till 08/2024
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Philippines
Implementing Partner: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Philippines
Online: https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/79964.html

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
The project supported the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its efforts to improve the draft policy and instruments for the implementation of payments for ecosystem services (PES) for water use in watersheds. Consultation workshops were organised in the three major island groups in the country in November and December 2022 for representatives of relevant government agencies, the private sector and civil society. The updated draft policy was submitted to the DENR's Policy Review Committee in December 2022. In February 2024, the draft was resubmitted to the Policy Review Committee and in March 2024 the draft policy was draft policy was updated accordingly.
In November 2022, the project facilitated a learning exchange visit to the Cagayan de Oro River Basin for 26 decision makers from three major river basins. The exchange focused on ecosystem-based adaptation and payment for ecosystem services, involving the private sector and local people.
The project supported the 14th National Watershed Conference on 24-25 November 2022, an online event attended by 261 participants from all parts of the Philippines.
Trainings on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) were conducted in October and November 2022. A total of 84 representatives from academia, civil society and relevant government agencies from 2 river basins participated and developed action plans to initiate PES.
In October 2022, the project conducted a training on natural resource accounting and payment for ecosystem services for technical staff involved in river basin management. 45 participants from all regions of the Philippines attended.
In March 2024, the Ilog-Hilabangan and Tagum-Libuganon river basins will each host a Regional River Basin Summit. The experiences of the project with the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation measures will be presented to a wide circle of key stakeholders.

Latest Update:
01/2025