The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc (SCPW) successfully conducted a “Stakeholders and Partners Forum” to formally kick-off the full implementation at the national level of the project titled, “Living Lakes, Biodiversity and Climate Project” on 24 February 2023 at Wynwood Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The said activity was attended by 40 participants coming from various National Government Agencies, private sector, academe, local government unit, people’s organizations, and other Non-Government Organizations who expressed their support for the project.
This 5-year project is funded by the Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) with the Global Nature Fund, an NGO based in Germany as the Lead Organization. SCPW is one of the 12 organizations across 10 countries that will implement national level initiatives under this umbrella project.
Arch. Celestino Ulep, President of SCPW, delivered the opening remarks for the activity, followed by a pre-recorded video message of Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel from Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany, Manila. Other partners who provided message during the opening preliminary were ASec Marcial Amaro Jr. of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Ms. Marion Hammerl, President of Global Nature Fund.
Ms. Amy Lecciones, Executive Director of SCPW discussed the salient features of the project. According to her presentation, the main objective of the project is to ensure that the conservation and restoration of wetlands and the protection of related biodiversity are improved in the long term. The project will work on 10 critical landscapes developing nature-based solutions and fostering training and capacity building alongside local partners. It was announced that in the Philippines, there will be capacity-building activities for wetland partners and stakeholders as well as Frontrunner Initiatives in two project sites: Paligui Wetlands in Candaba, Pampanga and Pangil River Eco-Park in the Laguna de Bay Region.
A 3D design and walk-through of the Wetland Center that will be established in the Paligui Wetlands were shown, as well as the initial site assessment results of the Pangil River Eco-Park which where another Green Filters or constructed wetlands project of SCPW will be built. Various stakeholders and partners who attended in the event delivered their statement of support for this project and presented possible partnership or collaboration for the next 5-years of implementation.
