Participants in the National PES Training discussing their proposed re-entry plan for their priority river basin.
Stakeholders and decision-makers need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to facilitate the integration of ecosystem-based adaptation in natural resource management. In this regard, the Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Two River Basins (E2RB) Project organised trainings and learning events on payment for ecosystem services (PES) for 45 DENR technical personnel and more than 70 representatives from local government units (LGUs), the business sector, academe, and people’s organisation in Ilog-Hilabangan and Tagum-Libuganon River Basins.
The series of PES trainings, which was part of the capacity development activities of the project to mainstream Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in river basin and watershed management, started with the national training for the DENR river basin focal persons and regional technical staff at the B-Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on 10-13 October 2022. The training was designed and conducted by the Economic and Environment Group led by Dr. Gem Castillo.
Based on the results of the initial training, improvement was made on the next batches of similar trainings that were conducted in Davao City on 20 October 2022 and in Negros Oriental on 10-12 November 2022.
At the end of the trainings, participants developed action plans to introduce PES in their respective areas or sectors, including sharing of learnings to gather support and interest in PES.
The E2RB Project, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), works with DENR to implement EbA measures in the Ilog-Hilabangan and Tagum-Libuganon river basins and to create awareness on ecosystem services values and EbA among national and local stakeholders. (GIZ/ Marion Daclan)
