The United States government on Tuesday announced the launching of the Philippines Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans and Landscapes (SIBOL), a P1.1 billion (US$22 million) project that will support the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources and combat environmental crimes.
Launched through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the five-year project will provide support to the Philippine government to achieve its goals of improving natural resource governance and stimulating public and private investments, leading to greater ecosystem stability and inclusive green growth.
Implementation of SIBOL will be made in close coordination between the USAID and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Lawrence Hardy II, Mission Director of USAID Philippines, said effective conservation management and measurement of the value of natural resources contribute to the Philippines’ economic development and environmental resilience.
“Through SIBOL, USAID is pleased to support the Philippines’ efforts to conserve the country’s rich biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of Filipinos whose incomes depend upon these natural resources,” Hardy added.
DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Juan Miguel Cuna welcomed their partnership with USAID, citing the importance of ensuring ecosystem integrity and human well-being as among the key priorities of the department.
“We look forward to partnering with USAID in advancing our goals of environmental sustainability and strengthening DENR’s capacity to combat environmental criminals, enhance the adaptive capacities of communities against natural disasters, as well as improve the economic conditions of affected local people,” Cuna said.
U.S.-based nonprofit organization RTI International will lead the implementation of the SIBOL project, building on its three decades of experience providing technical assistance, institutional strengthening, programmatic support, and research in a variety of sectors in the Philippines.
Others comprising the consortium with RTI are the Center for Conservation Innovations, Forest Foundation Philippines, Internews, Zoological Society of London, and the Resources, Environment, and Economics Center for Studies (REECS).