REECS is pleased to present a collection of key reports from the Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes project (SIBOL). Implemented with a consortium of partners, SIBOL is a USAID-funded initiative aiming at aiding the Philippine government in the governance and sustainable management of natural resources and protect the country's rich biodiversity. These reports comprise part of the project's undertakings, providing support to policy analysts, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in natural capital accounting through SIBOL's Ecosystem Valuation and Estimation System (EVES), a database studies on the economic valuation of ecosystem services in the Philippines and comparable sites in Southeast Asia. Also included here is an in-depth report on fish provisioning services in two marine protected areas in the Philippines.
Sukat ng Kalikasan (SnK) is a science-driven and evidence-based framework, designed to be a practical guide for planning, monitoring, and managing threats in protected and conservation areas. This standardized tool is used by a wide range of stakeholders, including protected area managers, government agencies, local communities, NGOs, academe, spatial planners, corporations, investors, and donors.
As a framework, SnK combines the widely recognized High Conservation Value Areas (HCVA) framework, initially developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in 1991 to safeguard biodiversity, with the Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) system of the United Nations System of Environmental Economic Accounting (UNSEEA). The Philippines has adapted these frameworks to align with its specific environmental and economic context as an archipelago, aiming to bridge the gap between natural and economic values. This approach ensures a balance between human demands and nature's capacity to meet them.
Sukat ng Kalikasan merges the Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System (BAMS) and the Socio-Economic Assessment and Monitoring System (SEAMS), harmonizing ecological and socio-economic data through NCA and Ecosystem Service (ES)valuation, as well as HCVA for spatial analysis. Furthermore, a unique aspect of SnK is its 4-tier level of standards (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum),which organizes data according to availability and complexity, allowing for a graduated system of monitoring and assessment. Concurrently, it introduces innovative conservation strategies, managing natural resources comprehensively from highlands to oceans. By offering a harmonized and standardized guideline, SnK enables the integration of ecological and socio-economic data into a systematized database management system. This framework assists decision-makers in understanding the links between project actions, threat abatement, and conservation outcomes, enabling the establishment of appropriate conservation priorities and management strategies.
Sukat ng Kalikasan identifies six main "Sukat" categories with 31 subcategories. These are grouped into two classifications: (1) those concerning species and their habitats, ecosystems, landscapes, and seascapes (Sukat 1-3),and (2) those related to human health, consumption, and the socio-economic and cultural values of an area (Sukat 4-6). Developed through a collaborative process involving consultations, meetings, and peer reviews with experts and stakeholders, SnK provides a holistic approach to conservation in the Philippines.
SNK Toolkit - English
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The purpose of this Toolkit is to provide practitioners and stakeholders involved in conservation interventions with a common framework, called Sukat ng Kalikasan (SnK), which is science-driven and evidence-based. This serves as a standardized practical guide for planning, monitoring and assessment, as well as for managing and addressing threats in protected or conservation areas. This can be used by protected area and forest managers; by national government agencies and local government units; by local communities and non-government organizations; by spatial planners; the academic community; as well as corporations, investors and donors.
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Layunin ng Toolkit na ito na makapagbigay ng pinag-isang framework o balangkas sa mga praktisyoner at stakeholder na sangkot sa interbensiyong pangkonserbasyon. Tinatawag ang framework na Sukat ng Kalikasan (SnK), na siyang batay sa agham at siyentipikong ebidensiya. Ito ay nagsisilbing pamantayang gabay para sa pagpaplano, pagmomonitor, at ebalwasyon, at pati (na rin) sa paglutas at pagtugon sa mga suliranin at panganib sa mga protektado at pinangangalagaang mga larang. Magagamit ito ng mga protected area at forest manager; mga ahensiya ng pambansang pamahalaan at yunit ng lokal na pamahalaan; mga lokal na komunidad at mga organisasyong di-pampamahalaan (NGO); spatial planners; akademikong komunidad; pati narin mga korporasyon, (mamumuhunan), at donor.
The Sukat ng Kalikasan (SnK) Framework was pilot-tested in five key biodiversity areas: (1) Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS); (2) Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR); (3) Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and National Park (PPSRNP); (4) Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL); and (5) Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS). The presence of SnK categories and subcategories was assessed following the SnK Toolkit. The results and outputs for each PA are presented in the succeeding sections.
Natural CapitalAccounting (NCA) is an essential tool in environmental management, as itenables governments to track and assess the contributions of natural resourcesto the economy. In the Philippines, NCA gained significant momentum with theenactment of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System(PENCAS) Act in May 2024. This legislation mandates the integration of naturalcapital into the country’s national accounting systems to ensure thesustainable management of the country’s natural resources. Spearheaded by theNational Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Environmentand Natural Resources (DENR), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), thePENCAS Act emphasizes the critical role of natural capital in supportingeconomic growth and human well-being. It is aligned with the global initiativeunder the United Nations' System of Environmental-Economic Accounting(UN-SEEA), which provides a comprehensive framework for measuring environmentalassets and their impact on the economy.
The Philippineshas a rich history of NCA efforts, beginning with the USAID-funded Environmentand Natural Resources Accounting Project (ENRAP) from 1990 to 2000. ENRAP aimedto modify the country’s economic accounting system to include the interactions betweenthe economy and the natural environment. Focusing on key ecosystem services includingwaste disposal, forest depreciation, fisheries, and pollution damages,providing valuable insights for policy work. However, the project facedchallenges in institutionalizing NCA due to the lack of a standardizedframework at the international level. Leading to the implementation of thePhilippine Economic-Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting (PEENRA)project, which was driven by the need to develop environmental accounts andensure the production of reliable data for policymaking.
In 2012, thecountry’s NCA journey took a turn with the adoption of the UN-SEEA CentralFramework. The framework offered a standardized approach for measuringenvironmental flows, stocks, and economic activities related to theenvironment. Through initiatives such as the Phil-WAVES project (2013-2017),the Philippines began using NCA for policy development and resource management,focusing on specific sites to demonstrate the practical applications of theframework.
In 2021, theSEEA Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) expanded the scope of NCA by integratingspatial data and allowing the tracking of ecosystem assets and services in bothphysical and monetary terms. This addition enabled the Philippines to betterunderstand the contributions of ecosystems to its economy and provided astronger basis for sustainable development policies.
To guide thestrategic implementation of NCA, the Philippine government launched the NCARoadmap, a long-term plan that runs from 2022 to 2040. This roadmap outlineskey activities and milestones to fully institutionalize NCA, with six corecomponents including natural capital accounts compilation, macroeconomicindicators adjustment, and data management. A crucial element of this roadmapis the capacity development of government agencies to ensure that the NCAframework is effectively integrated into national planning and decision-makingprocesses. The Philippines' commitment to NCA has been solidified with theratification of the PENCAS Act, opening the door for improved resourcemanagement and the formulation of public policies that take into considerationthe nation's abundant natural resources.
Aquaculture, in its most basic definition, is the farming of aquatic organisms (plants and animals) mainly for commercial purposes. It is characterized as the equivalent of agriculture for the purpose of supplementing food supply. It is also referred to as fish farming or mariculture and is credited as the primary source of marine products for many purposes—e.g., food, recreation, feedstocks, pharmaceuticals, etc.—worldwide.
Fish Catch Monitoring and Gear Inventory (FCMGI) Technical Report
The Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) project initiated the conduct of fish catch monitoring and gear inventory (FCMGI) at two protected areas of the Philippines, namely, Masinloc- Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS) and Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) to assess the current conditions of municipal fisheries and to help improve the governance and sustainable management of the fisheries resources. The key problems troubling the fisheries resources in the country include overfishing, the use of illegal and destructive fishing gears, and the lack of political will to implement fisheries laws that lead to commercial fishers encroaching into the municipal waters earmarked to municipal fishers by law. The results of the FCMGI study provide important evidenced-based inputs to formulate a set of measures that can improve the management of fisheries in the area; that can increase the biodiversity and biomass levels of fisheries resources over the long term; and increase catch rates of fishers as well as improve the quality of target species. More importantly, the results are inputs to the work of SIBOL project on natural capital accounting.
Fish Provisioning Ecosystem Service: Estimates for MOBPLAS and SIPLAS
Accounting for the contribution of natural capital towards a nation’s wealth necessitates the measurement of ecosystem services in both physical and monetary terms. This report focuses on the fish provisioning services of two marine protected areas, Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS) and Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS). It attempts to contribute to the ecosystem accounting literature by measuring fish provisioning services by major marine ecosystem, notwithstanding the intricate connectivity in the food web. The extent and condition accounts of mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs are measured, along with their supply and use in providing fish for harvesting. Harvesting volumes were measured using the Fish Catch Monitoring and Gear Inventory (FCMGI) surveys, and resource rent estimates were derived from the results of both FCMGI and the Enhanced Socio-Economic Assessment and Monitoring System (ESEAMS). Results indicate an advanced state of overharvesting in both sites, particularly in MOBPLS where rent estimates are negative across ecosystems and gears. Juxtaposing these results with other economic uses within the PAs provide the management authorities with information for more targeted and accurate planning and decision-making. At this point, drastic measures have to be taken if these ecosystems are expected to continue to provide for fish harvesting activities in the future.
Recreation Ecosystem Services Accounting
The report assesses the recreational value of the Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS). The analysis indicates that SIPLAS offers significant recreational opportunities due to its pristine beaches, surfable waves, and diverse marine and terrestrial attractions. Tourism is a major economic driver for the area, though it was heavily impacted by both the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette. The estimated recreational value of SIPLAS is substantial, ranging from Php1.57 billion to Php4.29 billion annually. Local residents also benefit from the area for recreation, contributing an estimated Php71 million to Php78 million per year to the overall value. Although their contribution is currently low in percentage terms, it remains significant. Data limitations, however, hinder a more comprehensive assessment of the local recreation benefit.
Preferences and Experiences of Users of Recreation
The Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape offers ample recreational opportunities linked to its wide and attractive coastal and marine waters, dense mangrove resources, numerous caves, and the friendly atmosphere and comfortable tourist facilities provided by the locals. In 2019, the area saw a visitation rate of 275,863 tourists, with 27.39% being foreign visitors. In 2022, visitor numbers were 181,518, but this figure soared to 529,822 in 2023. The relaxation of travel restrictions following the Covid period has driven demand for many tourist attractions in the country, with Siargao Island proving to be a highly regarded recreation destination.
Demand for Recreation in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP)
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for both domestic and foreign tourists, as well as local residents from surrounding communities. Puerto Princesa and Palawan as a whole have consistently attracted a significant number of visitors over the years, with tourism contributing substantially to the province’s gross earnings. The recreational experiences offered by various tourist destinations within the PPSRNP provide benefits that often exceed the expenses people are willing to incur for travel. Nature serves as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of urban life, offering a quiet and serene environment where visitors can seek inspiration and enjoy activities unique to this setting. For locals, it is a place for regular exercise, promoting their health and well-being. These diverse uses of nature translate into significant recreational benefits for many, as confirmed by our survey of tourists (albeit limited to an online format) and local communities around the Park.
The Ecotourism Value of Protected Areas in the Philippines
The analysis reveals that approximately 68% of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) offers high to very high recreation opportunities, encompassing 14,856 hectares. Visitors to the park enjoy activities such as boat rides to the renowned Underground River, exploring numerous caves, and appreciating the area’s rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Spiritual ecosystem services are the least understood and least represented in the system of ecosystem accounts primarily because of the difficulty in describing and measuring benefits related to spirituality. Unlike the other ecosystem services, spiritual ecosystem services do not have tangible and measurable outcomes, and are so personal subjective, and distinctive across different types of people that they have often been neglected and consequently underrepresented in most economic valuation exercises.
Accounting for Almaciga Resin Production in Cleopatra's Needle Key Biodivesity Area (CN KBA)
The Cleopatra’s Needle (CN) is one of the 228 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) identified in the Philippines. The KBAs represent areas that have met specific criteria to be considered globally significant in biodiversity conservation. The Philippines is considered one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world which signifies that it has high biodiversity and endemism, but this is under threat. Designating areas as KBA thus sends the signal that the said area is priority for conservation and protection because of the rich fauna and flora it contains and its critical status as habitat for important endangered and biodiversity resources. The 228 KBAs are habitats to 855 globally important species of plants, corals, mollusks, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (CI-DENR-Haribon, 2006) Currently, the 228 KBAs in the country have a land area of 6,008,813 hectares, representing about 20% of the country’s total land area (Philippine Clearing House Mechanism). Accordingly, 93 out of the 288 KBAs are within the Protected Area system of the Philippines.
Accounting for Almaciga Resin Production in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP)
Almaciga resin, derived from the Agathis philippinensis Warb. tree species, is a valuable forest product in the Philippines, particularly in areas like Palawan and the Sierra Madre. This resin, locally known as Manila copal, is essential for various industrial applications, including varnish and paint driers. The indigenous communities in these regions depend significantly on resin collection as a source of income. However, unsustainable and destructive tapping practices have threatened the long-term availability of this resource, leading to potential environmental degradation, including soil erosion, loss of carbon storage, and reduced biodiversity.
Carbon Account for Palawan and Siargao Islands Protected Areas
Protected areas in the Philippines, such as those Palawan and Siargao Island, play a crucial role in combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. These regions are not only sanctuaries for diverse flora and fauna but also significant carbon sinks that contribute to global climate mitigation efforts. The economic value of carbon storage in these protected areas is substantial, mitigating climate change impacts and avoiding related costs. Additionally, these areas provide essential ecosystem services, including water purification, flood control, and biodiversity conservation, which benefit local economies through tourism and sustainable resource use.
The Philippines' forestland assets, comprising 53% of the total land area, provide vital resources such as sawlogs, pulpwood, veneer logs, poles, piles, and a variety of non-timber forest products like almaciga, manila elemi, rattan, and
bamboo. These resources, along with essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation, significantly contribute to the national economy. However, over the past two decades, the forestry sector's economic contribution, as recorded in national accounts, has been in decline, averaging a decrease of 6% per year. Since 2015, its contribution has fallen below 0.03% of GDP. Despite the implementation of the second Forestry Master Plan in 2003, there has been no substantial improvement in the sector's performance.
The EnhancedSocio-Economic Assessment and Monitoring System (E-SEAMS) is an upgraded toolused by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to evaluatethe socio-economic conditions of residents within protected areas under theNational Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Originally known as SEAMS,this tool gathers key data on demographic, socio-cultural, economic, physical,and institutional aspects of protected areas (PAs). At present, E-SEAMS extendsthe survey's reach beyond PA boundaries, covering buffer zones and adjacentcommunities dependent on PA resources for livelihood.
In the contextof the Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes(SIBOL) project, E-SEAMS is enhanced with an automated survey and refinedquestions. It provides baseline data on resource use and users within PAs,focusing on the demographic and economic profiles of households. The data collectedsupport natural capital accounting and ecosystem services valuation, which arecrucial for developing economic incentives and guiding the establishment ofenvironmental benchmarks (Sukat ng Kalikasan) in the project sites of SIBOL.
E-SEAMS Technical Report - MOBPLS
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The Masinloc and Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS) is an established protected area within the category of landscape and seascape by virtue of Republic Act No. 11038 also known as ENIPAS Act of 2018 amending Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992. It is the only marine protected area under the ENIPAS in Central Luzon and considered as the first mangrove-protected area in Zambales. MOBPLS is home to a wide array of important marine biodiversity and unique island features. It serves as an important nesting and spawning ground for marine life and fisheries resources. The MOBPLS is comprised of land and marine features. Land features of the protected area consist of mainland shorelines and portions in the northwest of the municipality of Palauig and the six (6) islands namely San Salvador, Magalawa, Luan, San Miguel, Panglit, and Pilapir.
E-SEAMS Technical Report - SIPLAS
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SIPLAS contains an approximate area of 283,974.77 hectares as protected landscape and seascape. Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 is the main basis for Proclamation No. 902. Therefore, all supplementary regulations about SIPLAS are valid only in accordance with NIPAS. On June 22, 2018, SIPLAS was included as one of the legislated protected areas in the Philippines through RA 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018.
E-SEAMS Technical Report - Cleopatra's Needle Forest Reserve
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Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR) is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) that encapsulates three (3) municipalities in Palawan (i.e., Puerto Princesa, Roxas, and San Vicente). CNFR has a total land area of 104,730 ha. Mount Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve is a lush and diverse tropical rainforest located in Palawan, Philippines. It boasts a wide range of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species such as the Palawan hornbill and the Palawan peacock-pheasant. The reserve is a popular destination for eco-tourism and conservation efforts.
CNFR covers 24 barangays wherein 16 of which are in Puerto Princesa, six barangays in Roxas, and two barangays in San Vicente.
E-SEAMS Technical Report - MMPL
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Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL) is a mountain range located in Southern Palawan that was proclaimed as a protected area on June 23, 2009, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1815 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. MMPL is known as the largest terrestrial protected area in the province with a total area of 120,457 hectares. It lies within the territorial jurisdiction of the five (5) municipalities (Quezon, Jose P. Rizal, Bataraza, Sofronio Española and Brooke’s Point). MMPL is also the highest mountain in the province and currently popularized by LGU Jose P. Rizal as the rooftop of Palawan and reaches approximately 2,086 meters above sea level.
E-SEAMS Field Guide
The Enhanced-Socioeconomic Assessment and Monitoring System (E-SEAMS) is an existing tool of DENR that is used to assess the socioeconomic profile of residents inside NIPAS protected areas. The enhanced survey provides information included in the conventional survey and registration of protected area occupants and other relevant normative data on demographic, socio-cultural, economic, physical, and institutional characterization of the PAs. The areas to be surveyed can go beyond those within the PA boundaries to determine the extent of users and utilization of PA resources relevant to a comprehensive and effective management. This assessment therefore shall cover all occupants inside the PA. It may also cover buffer zones as well as people who are living in its adjacent areas and are dependent on resource utilization inside the PA for subsistence and livelihood. In the context of SIBOL, E-SEAMS will be the source of baseline data on the current resource use and resource users inside the PA, as well as the demographic and economic profiles of households residing within the PA boundaries. The survey results will serve as inputs to the Sukat ng Kalikasan (SnK), a management tool for the PAs. Particularly, these will feed on the natural capital accounting and ecosystem services valuation work and will provide the necessary information for the establishment of community-based Biodiversity Friendly-Enterprises (BDFEs).
A protected area(PA) business plan serves as a crucial tool for guiding PA managers, donors,investors, partners, and stakeholders in evaluating the financial resourcesrequired to carry out the activities laid out in the PA’s management plan.Beyond the assessment of financial needs, the business plan also exploresopportunities to generate revenues to support these needs.
The PA businessplan expands on the management plan by identifying the specific resourcesnecessary to achieve the outlined goals and objectives. To estimate the costsof these resources and actions, it uses a logical framework approach andactivity-based cost accounting. Further, by comparing these financialrequirements with current revenues, the business plan highlights the financinggap which serves as the basis for identifying potential resource generationopportunities. It also outlines strategies to minimize this gap and presentsadditional schemes that could facilitate the successful implementation of thePA management plan.
Determining Financial Requirements and Potential Sources of Financing for PA Management Plans
These reports comprise part of the project's undertakings, providing support to policy analysts, researchers and other stakeholders involved in natural capital accounting.
SIBOL Business Plan - Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape Area (MOBPLS) Zambales, Philippines
The protected area business plan is intended to guide PA managers, prospective donors/investors, PA partners, and other stakeholders in assessing the financial needs that must be met in order to implement the PA’s management plan activities. The PA business plan is also an avenue for generating potential revenues to help meet those needs. Essentially, it is an extension of the management plan as it also aims to identify the resources required to meet the goals and tasks laid out in the PA management plan.
Greening Palawan after Odette - Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) Puerto Princesa City
Our ten-year Green Recovery Plan (GRP) is anchored on the vision, mission, and goals of the PPSRNP Strategic Management Plan 2020 to 20307. We recognize the need to secure key threatened habitats and species in PPSRNP by placing people and ecosystems at the heart of our conservation targets. The long-term goal of our GRP reflects the first goal of the Management Plan, which states that “The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park’s biodiversity and ecosystem are effectively conserved and protected. Maintaining the ecological integrity of PPSRNP would include the restoration of forest ecosystems that were damaged by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. We envision that natural systems and key species in PPSRNP will recover and continue to thrive in the next decade as a result of our restoration efforts.
Greening Palawan after Odette - Municipality of San Vicente
The Green Recovery Plan of San Vicente will span for 10 years and is focused on restoring damaged forest and mangrove ecosystems through science-based methods. Efforts will be focused on Barangays Caruray and Port Barton, both of which were heavily damaged during Typhoon Odette and form part of the vital forest corridor connecting the San Vicente-Roxas-Taytay forest block with the forests of PPSRNP and CNCH.
Green Recovery Plan: Costing Plan Worksheet
In December 2021, Typhoon Odette, a powerful super typhoon, caused widespread destruction across the Philippines, compelling the USAID SIBOL program to respond by creating the Green Assessment Framework (GAF). This framework was meticulously designed as a comprehensive tool to evaluate the full range of damage caused by catastrophic events like typhoons, particularly focusing on environmental and ecosystem impacts. By incorporating a strategic and forward-thinking approach, the GAF helped pave the way for more effective post-disaster recovery initiatives. It served as the foundation for the Green Recovery Plan (GRP) Framework, which was developed to support long-term restoration and recovery of ecosystems severely affected by climate-related disasters.
