By 2040, at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems restored/rehabilitated, resulting to enhanced biodiversity, ecosystem functions, ecological integrity, and connectivity

To achieve the target of restoring 30% of all degraded ecosystems by 2040 in the Philippines, the following actions have been identified:

Identification of Degraded Areas: Conduct dialogues to achieve a shared understanding of biologically degraded areas and agree on action steps for restoration. Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify ecologically and biologically degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems. The relevant stakeholders include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), scientific institutions, local government units (LGUs), indigenous communities. These would require environmental assessments, biodiversity surveys, and remote sensing data among others. 

Development of Restoration/Rehabilitation Plans: Detailed restoration and rehabilitation plans for selected degraded sites should be prepared, incorporating scientific assessments, community input, and stakeholder consultations. The relevant stakeholders include the DENR, LGUs, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), academic institutions, NGOs, indigenous communities. Critical information from the academe (ecosystem restoration methodologies and guidelines), some scientific research and stakeholder (community consultations) is needed. 

Restoration or rehabilitation plans would include NAPERSEP, NGP,  

Implementation of Restoration Activities: The execution of the approved restoration plans (i.e. reforestation, habitat restoration, soil conservation, waterway rehabilitation, and marine ecosystem restoration) will follow with the collaboration of relevant stakeholders like the DENR, LGUs, DA, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), private sector partners, NGOs, communities. At this point implementation guidelines, project management plans, and standardized monitoring protocols are essential.

Capacity Building and Training: Training and capacity-building programs to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective ecosystem restoration and management should be given. Important stakeholders include the DENR, LGUs, academic institutions, NGOs, indigenous communities, and the local community. The need for the development of training modules and the conduct of workshops would ensue (Target 20).

Monitoring and Evaluation: Similar to the other targets with actions or indicators identified, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms need to be established to track the progress of restoration efforts to assess ecosystem health, and measure improvements of biodiversity richness (may include species abundance). The stakeholders/actors include the: DENR, LGUs, DOST, academic institutions, NGOs, and the indigenous communities. Essential in these are the monitoring protocols, biodiversity surveys, and ecological assessments.

Policy and Institutional Support: Enact supportive policies and regulations to incentivize and facilitate ecosystem restoration efforts. Institutional coordination and collaboration among government agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders involved in ecosystem restoration should be strengthened. Stakeholders in these activities are the DENR, DILG, LGUs, legislative bodies (senate and congress (specifically those areas are within their jurisdictions), NGOs, academic institutions, private sector. Policies, legislation and inter-agency agreements will be necessary.

Public Awareness and Participation: Information campaigns and community outreach activities to raise awareness about the importance of ecosystem restoration and encourage public participation can be added (piggy back) to the existing activities of the DENR in other programs. Existing partnerships with civil society organizations, schools, media, and local communities in existing DENR programs can be mobilized to support restoration initiatives. Significant actors are the DENR, LGUs, NGOs, educational institutions, media outlets, and local communities. Communication materials, public events, and community engagement strategies will be needed.

Implementing these actions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders will contribute towards achieving the target of restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2040. Proper documentation and reporting of activities will be essential for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.

The rehabilitation or restoration of degraded areas are supported by the NIPAS and the eNIPAS. This is also supported by the NGP and the eNGP.  For the marine protected areas, experts in the Philippines agree that the appropriate approach is the removal of threats allow the degraded areas to slowly recover. Since there are various threats from different sources, collaboration with various government agencies is needed to ensure that threats are removed or minimized. For the terrestrial areas, though there are areas which would recover with the removal of threats, some areas like the mining areas would need more than just removal of threats but active rehabilitation or restoration after mining ends.

The implementation of this though would not solely rely on the DENR, it would need the support and some activities by other national government agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP), NGOs, POs and private sector.

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM)

1. Implementation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Practices to Address Land Degradation and Mitigate Effects of Drought

The project will govern efforts to address land degradation in the Philippines. It will mainstream Sustainable Land Management (SLM) policies and programs into the development plans of LGUs through the guidance of government agencies such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Refom1, Department of Interior and Local Development and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board to strengthen complementation among these government institutions concerned with land degradation and ensure that the incidence and spread of land degradation in vulnerable ecosystems will be avoided and/or reduced. The project is expected to improve the land productivity and socioeconomic well-being of small farmers. To achieve this, the project will follow a participatory cross-sectoral approach involving all the key stakeholders in project design and implementation. The promotion of SLM measures and technologies for the adoption of vulnerable fanning communities will be the focus of the field investments of the project. Through the establishment of SLM demonstration sites, farmers will be able to learn and adopt various methods of soil conservation farming and water resources conservation that will improve their crop production and income.

2. Soil Conservation Farm Planning and Establishment of Soil Conservation Guided Farm

The provision of technical assistance on soil conservation farm planning and establishment of soil conservation guided farm is being undertaken by the Soil Conservation and Management Division (SCMD). Relevant interested parties (RIPs) include farmers and farmers groups, NGA LGU, NGO and SUC. Site identification and selection is based on agreed and acceptable criteria.

Operational planning includes pre-implementation sub-processes such as 1) preparatory surveys and field data generation; 2) processing and analyses and maps production; 3) socioeconomic and market study; and 4) preparation of soils conservation farm plan and project report. Implementation sub-process includes 1) specialized training on soil conservation; 2) consultation and finalization of the soil conservation farm plan; 3) procurement and establishment of the soil conservation guided farm, and 4) monitoring and follow-up activities and reporting.

• Haribon Foundation
• Forest Foundation Philippines
• Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts
• Philipine Eagle Foundation
• Wetland International Philippines
• Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme Philippines
• Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc.
• Wildlife Conservation Society
• Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.
• SEARICE
• Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines

Barriers to implementation are varied: this includes harmonization of policies and program priorities especially on conflicting or competing land use; use of biodiversity friendly technologies against technologies which may adversely impact biodiversity. 

Support of the LGUs, the local community, other agencies and stakeholders in the areas are essential for the implementation of activities to rehabilitate and restore the degraded areas. Rehabilitation may also involve some modifications in the livelihoods of some communities, and this should not be disregarded. 

Collaboration among government agencies, local communities, indigenous peoples, NGOs, and other stakeholders is crucial for the achievement of the target.

Please indicate if additional means of implementation are needed for the attainment of this national target. 

For this target, a standardized manual for rehabilitation or restoration should be drafted for ease of implementation in the different areas. In addition to this, a single reference map should be used by the DENR to overlay sites for restoration, et. al.

Training on alternative livelihoods may need to be given to those whose livelihoods will be affected by the restoration/rehabilitation activities. Some financing is needed to set this up.    

The National Convergence Initiative (NCI) emerged from the PDP 2017-2022.  It aims to enhance coordination and collaboration among national government agencies. Here are the salient points and specific aspects related to the NCI:

Overall Framework:

• The NCI seeks to address cross-cutting issues by pooling resources and efforts across agencies.
• It promotes convergence in planning, implementation, and monitoring of programs and projects.
• The NCI aims to achieve synergies and maximize impact in areas such as food security, environmental services, housing, and good governance.

While the NCI is not governed by a specific standalone legislation, it operates within the framework of existing laws and regulations.

• It encourages agencies to collaborate through memoranda of agreement (MOAs) and other cooperative arrangements.
• The NCI emphasizes inter-agency coordination, joint planning, and sharing of resources.
• Agencies involved in the NCI align their activities to achieve common goals, ensuring better outcomes for the Filipino people.

In summary, the NCI under the PDP 2017-2022 fosters cooperation, resource-sharing, and coordinated efforts among government agencies to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Philippines.

The NCI if fully implemented, will immensely contribute to the achievement of the different targets and most especially this target on restoration.