The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is allocating over $278 million in foreign-funded projects this year for biodiversity, climate change and environment programs to further strengthen environmental resiliency and sustainability in local government units (LGUs).
At a High-level Discussion on the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga stressed the need to secure foreign funding to bridge financial gaps for successful program implementation.
“Through strategic partnerships with multilateral and bilateral institutions, we can address environmental issues efficiently and effectively,” she said. Partners include Japan, Australia, United States, South Korea, and Canada, among others.
Loyzaga cited the importance of the partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other agencies in a “whole of government” approach to accelerate LGU programs with global best practices in environmental management within the next five to six years.
Loyzaga also disclosed that the DENR is collaborating with development partners, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the European Union (EU) to implement a circular economy approach with the Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution Integrated Program.
Other initiatives include the Green Economy Program of the Philippines (GEPP) funded by the EU which focuses on solid waste management and plastic waste reduction in 60 LGUs over five years and the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay to strengthen environmental protection efforts in the bay area and raise awareness about marine pollution reduction.
They also include Promoting Resource Efficiency and Circularity to Reduce Plastic Pollution for Asia and Pacific, regional projects that aim to reduce plastic pollution and restore coastal and marine ecosystems’ health; and the Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Sea Region initiative, funded by Korea’s Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries, which focuses on improving local governance in marine plastic management. DENR News
The DENR’s collaboration with the World Bank, meanwhile, includes ongoing studies on municipal solid waste plans, recycling systems, plastic circularity opportunities and strategies to combat plastic waste crisis.
The Philippines has joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership through the World Economic Forum (WEF) to strengthen its commitment against plastic pollution. The Philippines also signed an agreement with WEF for the Blue Carbon Action Partnership in a side event during the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai.