World Bank identifies bioregions in Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The World Bank, government and private environmental groups have identified several provinces in Mindanao as areas that need to address issues on biodiversity conservation, rehabilitation and protection.

Armando Pacudan, regional operations manager of The Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), said there is a need to conserve the rich biological and ecological heritage of the country and to involve the community in conservation efforts in the said areas.

The FPE, in coordination with government agencies, public organizations and other non-government organizations have chosen the provinces of Camiguin, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental as one bioregion and the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, another bioregion. Pacudan said that, after a series of workshop-seminars, projects are already lined up for implementation and these will be funded by a World Bank endowment fund of $22 million.

The workshops were facilitated by the Mindanao State University, Naawan, Misamis Oriental Foundation for Science and Technology Development, Incorporated headed by Proserfina Gomez-Roxas.

The fund is now invested in different local and international financial institutions, he said.

Part of the interest earned from the endowment fund will be used for the implementation of projects while the remainder of the earned interest will be accumulated into the principal sum to maintain the endowment fund, Pacudan said.

The projects cover major issues on biodiversity such as habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, uncontrolled mining and industrial operations, poor solid waste management, lack of information, education and communication program, lack of environmental planning, fragmented biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, loss of indigenous people’s rights and enforcement of laws and policies, the environment consultative group said.

Reforestation of the two bioregions with the involvement of the participating groups of public and private sectors including the communities aims to revive rainforests, Pacudan said.

"Once the rainforest project is implemented, other projects that are focused on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development will follow," he added.

Pacudan added that the World Bank funded FPE programs will also expand to other parts of the country where there is a need to address biodiversity concerns.