The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) was one of the awardees during the Second World Water Day Awards Ceremonies on 22 March 2016 at the Novotel Manila. SCPW was given the “Wetland Conservation Advocacy Award” in recognition of its campaign for the conservation and wise use of Philippine Wetlands and attainment of the Philippines’ commitment to the Ramsar Convention- the international treaty which recognizes the ecological, economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value of wetlands.
The SCPW is the principal and foremost organization dealing with wetlands in the Philippines. It is a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization that focuses its advocacy on educating and capacitating communities so that they can take action for the wise use of wetlands. The SCPW engages the youth to be the champions of wetlands conservation through its Youth Ecological Camps and the Wetland Centre Design Competitions. With support from CLEAR (Conservation of Laguna de Bay’s Environment and Resources) Partnership and other partners including multi-lateral organizations and industry partners, SCPW conducts youth ecological camps in the Laguna de Bay Region directly benefitting around 500 high school students, 92 high schools in 17 lakeshore municipalities. To date, the Youth Campers have organized themselves in to a CLEAR Youth Network and has expanded into more than a thousand members implementing around 100 school- and community-based projects. The SCPW has also conducted four Wetland Center Design competitions, with the last one held in 2013 having 84 entries from 10 universities in the country.
Moreover, the SCPW serves as a network for wetland workers and advocates and establishes linkages with local and international organizations to promote wetland conservation. It also provides technical assistance on matters related to wetlands. The SCPW has been a partner of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in its wetlands conservation activities since 1998.
