The Biodiversity Management Bureau, through the DENR–UNDP/GEF project on Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines, or BD Corridor Project, in collaboration with the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Project and the National Parks Division (NPD), conducted the rollout of Protected Area Management and Financing Plans (PAMFPs) and a Training of Trainers for protected areas in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridors. This initiative was a crucial step in enhancing the management and financial sustainability of the country’s protected areas. A key component of the project was the Protected Area Management Plans (PAMPs), which provided long-term frameworks for managing these areas. These plans guided the preparation of annual operations and budgets for effective management. However, despite these efforts, a significant challenge in preparing PAMPs had been the absence of a comprehensive financial plan, which was essential for sustaining various conservation activities and ensuring long-term protection.
To address this financial gap, the DENR-BMB, with the assistance of the UNDP-BIOFIN Project, developed the Protected Area Finance Plan (PAFP) Module. This tool helped protected area managers understand their financial needs and explore various funding solutions, including identifying potential private sector partners. The PAFP Module also aimed to increase investments in protected areas by targeting budget items that required additional funding beyond the regular government allocation. By addressing these financial challenges, the module ensured that all protected areas received sufficient funding for both operational and capital expenditures, supporting the long-term objectives outlined in the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP).
The PAFP Module had been further enhanced through consultations, workshops, and learning events conducted since 2020. It became an integral part of the Specialized Course on Protected Area Management under the Environment and Natural Resources Academy (ENRA), which was officially launched on June 26, 2024. The rollout in the Mindoro and Eastern Mindanao biodiversity corridors, through the UNDP-Biodiversity Corridor Project, focused on training future trainers. This prepared the first batch of ENRA participants and ensured that the country’s protected areas would benefit from sustainable and effective management practices for years to come.