The Philippines has one of the richest terrestrial and marine biodiversity in the world. Over the past decades, poverty, deforestation and industrialization have led to extensive deterioration of natural resources and environmental pollution as well as health risks for the fast growing population.

DED together with its partner organizations recognizes that addressing poverty as well as environmental protection are first and foremost a matter of an ecologically sound, economically viable and socially balanced use of resources.

Thus DED is capacitating institutions and civil society involved in forestry to prepare management plans, rehabilitate forest lands and regulate the marketing of forest and agricultural products, Regarding the urban environment, DED aims at creating public awareness and empowering municipalities to handle waste collection, establish sanitary landfills as well as facilities to recover recyclables and compost organic waste.

Water is a precious resource. To ensure sustainable water supply, San Carlos City cooperates with the DED. As a unique case in the country, the Watershed Rehabilitation Project is co-financed through an environmental fee, which is used for planting endemic tree species to secure the source of water. Training of farmers and socially acceptable forest management plans create a win-win situation on top of that: the environment is protected and income for upland communities is generated.

Contact:

For further information please refer to the Coordinator of the Environmental Program:

Werner Kosemund: Werner.Kosemund@ded.de