On November 21, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Power Corporation (NPC) signed into effect a partnership to strengthen forest protection in the Philippines and sustain renewable energy production through the implementation of the USAID-funded LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System. This follows a similar agreement between USAID, the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Energy Development Corporation signed on November 4.
“No single sector or organization, no matter how large, can address the country’s environmental challenges on its own,” said Dr. Susan K. Brems, USAID Philippines’ Mission Director, alongside Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, President and CEO of National Power Corporation. “Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and requires the collective support of all stakeholders,” Dr. Brems added.
The NPC engages in power generation, missionary electrification, and dams and watershed management. NPC manages 11 watersheds supporting hydro and geothermal power facilities. Under the partnership, NPC will provide an estimated PhP 26 million to implement LAWIN-related protection and conservation efforts in forested areas in Luzon and Mindanao, totaling 180,000 hectares. USAID will provide PhP 6.2 million in technical assistance to establish and help implement LAWIN.
“The bottom line is healthy forests. And that is the aspiration that brings the National Power Corporation and USAID here. We are very happy we will now formalize the partnership and that there is opportunity to capacitate our people through a program developed by USAID and DENR. LAWIN is a tool that we needed yesterday. So, at least, we will start it very soon” said National Power Corporation CEO Cruz-Sta. Rita.
“The partnerships with the National Power Corporation and the Energy Development Corporation will serve as a successful model for bringing together the public and private sectors to pursue forest and biodiversity protection and improve the sustainability of environmental services they provide,” Dr. Brems concluded.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and USAID, through the Watersheds and Biodiversity Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program, jointly developed the LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. The system is now part of the national strategy for forest and biodiversity protection in the Philippines, with the DENR spearheading its implementation throughout the country.
Source: U.S. and Philippine Governments Forge Alliance To Protect Forests