United States Agency for International Development - (PDF, 101 mb ...

KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF USEC MARIO RoRo
I came to note that the Philippines has been identified as one of the 25 countries worldwide
considered as priority hotspots, globally important biodiversity areas that are under severe
threat. Data available on birds alone, showed that half of our country's endemic birds are
threatened to extinction. Thus in 1995, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(NBSAP) was formulated and then published two years later. This adion plan presented a
general overview and background of biodiversity in the Philippines. However, it did not provide
substantial information on geographically specific recommendations or priorities for the
investment of limited conservation resources. There is a sense of urgency to further strengthen
and advance the operationalization of NBSAP. Lessons have been learned since the preparation
and implementation of the action plan. Also, lessons can be gathered from various biodiversity
conservation initiatives including two country-based programs that are almost in their final
phases of implementation, the Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Program (CPPAP) and
the National Integrated Protected Areas Program (NIPAP). Biodiversity conservation goes
beyond scientific methodologies and strict legal prohibitions to preserve our biological
resources. It should also include strengthening opportunities for our local communities
particularly the rural poor, to benefit from the national biodiversity conservation efforts. Based
on the preliminary assessment made, the variety of wildlife species have different geographic
priorities, thus a more careful planned forum for integration and consensus building is
necessary, hence this workshop.
In 'behalf of DENR, may I express our sincere appreciation for the participation of various
sectors in this workshop. More importantly, I commend the efforts of the convenors and
organizers in calling together such a large group of experts with such varied interests and
professional disciplines and attempting to gather them in a discussion expectedly to arrive at a
consensus on specific biodiversity conservation priorities.
I understand this process maybe too difficult for you initially because of the wide range of
expertise and wen conflicting concepts or priority. But it would make it easier probably if we
don't lose focl~s on what we want to achieve. To provide a firmer and stronger support to
maintain the balance between biodiversity conservation, rural development and poverty
alleviation. This too is a commitment of the government for the Filipino people. This is a
challenge for all of us. We may not have the luxury of time, the Philippines has been ranked
first in the global hotspot category, ranked first in the threatened birds category, can? we rank
first this time for doing something about it and doing it successfully? For the sake of our
country and the generations to come, I hope we can.
The output of this workshop shall be a very valuable guiding principle for decision makers and
policy implementers in leading our people out 'from the bondage of poverty and improving the
quality of life in the Visayas without compromising biodiversity conservation, sacrificing the
integrity of the protected areas and driving the remaining endangered flora and fauna to
extinction. We recognize this priority setting workshop as one of the means to provide us the
tools to give the earth. I'm counting on you.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you very much.