Released on: October 12, 2008, 6:23 pm

Press Release Author: PEMSEA

Industry: Government

Press Release Summary: The largest proportion of investments is being utilized for
multi-focal projects, such as capacity enhancement in disaster management, habitat
restoration and management and fisheries management.

Press Release Body: Initial analysis of projects and programs being undertaken in
the Philippines that are contributing to the objectives and targets of the
Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) reveals over a
billion dollars of investment. The largest proportion of investments is being
utilized for multi-focal projects, such as capacity enhancement in disaster
management, habitat restoration and management and fisheries management.

This Philippine information was presented to the 2nd EAS Partnership Council in July
2008, as a demonstration of a systematic process for identifying Country and
Non-Country Partners' initiatives contributing to the objectives and targets of the
SDS-SEA. PEMSEA has been working on its "Framework of Partnership Programmes (FoPP)"
for about six months, with the objective of improving the coordination and synergies
among the Partners.

The FoPP template was tested in the Philippines with the cooperation of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines. The output was
a comprehensive listing of SDS-SEA related initiatives that are ongoing in the
Philippines, including budgetary allocations. The process also provided an
opportunity for greater interaction among the various DENR bureaus and regional
offices and other concerned departments, on coastal and marine matters. As a
consequence of the interagency interaction, a document entitled Framework for the
Implementation of Executive Order No. 533, Adopting Integrated Coastal Management as
a National Strategy (June 2008) was developed. The Framework contains recommended
approaches for strengthening institutional mechanisms at the national and local
levels for ICM scaling up, including a national interagency coordinating mechanism.
Furthermore, the document contains a work programme targeting priority sites/areas
and sustainable development issues, as well as actions designed to improve
coordination and address gaps and needs of managers and practitioners throughout the
country. The draft document is currently undergoing review within DENR.

Both Country and Non-Country Partners welcomed the FoPP as a tool to avoid
duplication and promote collaboration on subregional transboundary projects.


Web Site: http://pemsea.org

Contact Details: Partnerships in Enviromental Management for the Seas of East Asia
(PEMSEA)
Magnolia Uy
E-mail: mmuy@pemsea.org
Telephone: +63 (2) 929-2992