Definitive Record Of Philippine Natural Resources Established

The Philippines, more than a nation of hundreds of millions of citizens, is home to a vast network of wildlife and natural resources. Preserving and protecting our ecological wealth is indeed a challenge, especially for an archipelago, separated by waters that also fall under our care. 

But now the task is being made more manageable, thanks to a brilliant government initiative.

The nation’s wide and extensive natural resources will now have a complete and definitive record, making it easier to monitor and protect, as President Ferdinand Marcos signed Republic Act 1195 or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act.

The PENCAS Act, signed on May 22, 2024, during the International Day For Biological Diversity, establishes a system that helps the government track and evaluate our natural resources. This framework is designed to aid in making smart economic and environmental policies while focusing on protecting, conserving, and restoring our ecosystems.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that PENCAS is more than just determining the economic value of ecosystems. It’s also about managing our natural capital better and boosting our resilience against climate change and disasters.

Auditing Our Natural Capital

So, what is natural capital? It’s everything from plants and animals to air, water, soils, ores, and minerals. These provide essential needs such as filtering our air and water, protecting us from floods, storing carbon, pollinating crops, and offering habitats for wildlife.

The PENCAS framework will cover various aspects, including official statistics on the depletion and restoration of natural resources, environmental protection spending, pollution, land, air, and water quality, environmental damage, and adjusted net savings.

The Philippine Statistics Board (PSA) will be in charge of implementing PENCAS, ensuring the development and maintenance of natural capital and environmental accounts. They’re also setting up an Environment, Natural Resources and Ecosystem Account Services (ENREAS).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will provide the necessary data to PSA. They’ll also integrate natural environment, ecosystem services, and natural capital considerations into their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system, highlighting these as opportunities or assets at risk.

Other agencies, such as the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, and several others, will also play a role in implementing the law.

Value Of Our Ecosystems

Meanwhile, USAID-SIBOL and the DENR launched “Sukat ng Kalikasan,” a toolkit that provides a standardized guide for planning, monitoring, and addressing threats in protected or conservation areas.

Sukat ng Kalikasan focuses on two main areas: species and their habitats at different levels (ecosystem, landscape, and seascape) and the regulation, maintenance, and socio-economic and cultural values of an area.

DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr. explained that this toolkit, customized for the Philippines, aims to help us appreciate the value of our ecosystems. This way, we can manage our natural resources more sustainably while still meeting our development goals.

Adobo also mentioned that PENCAS would institutionalize the use of “Sukat ng Kalikasan,” leading to better natural resource management, reducing biodiversity loss, increasing private sector engagement, and building more resilient communities and economies.

Source: Marcos signs law to account for Philippines’ natural resources