The month of March officially marks the celebration of National Women’s Month in the Philippines. In line with such a monumental celebration, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), hosted the Women’s Forum with the theme “Igniting Passion, Finding Fulfillment: Inspiring Stories of Women and Men in Biodiversity” on March 26, 2026, at the Park Inn by Radisson, North EDSA, Quezon City. The forum showcased testimonies across various sectors and booths with women-led biodiversity-friendly enterprises (BDFEs). The forum also awarded individuals across all genders and recognized their initiatives and efforts on the ground in promoting biodiversity conservation and protection with a gender perspective.
Indigenous Inclusivity
Among the recognized stewards was Ms. Raulyn Gay Guay, Ancestral Domain Management Officer of CADT 019 of Compostela, Davao de Oro, located within the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC). She was awarded for her efforts in integrating gender equality, indigenous leadership, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihood development in implementing inclusive activities such as the Compostela Forest Guards and Eco-tourism Guides Farmers Association, the Ancestral Domain Management and Protection Program, and the IP Women’s Empowerment Initiative.
Ms. Raulyn Gay Guay, ADMO of CADT 019 in Compostela, Davao de Oro, being awarded as a GAD Biodiversity Steward
“I feel honored. Masaya ako dahil sa wakas, matagal na namin itong battle on the ground so ngayon, panahon na namin ngayon na napansin kami ng government agencies,” Ms. Guay said after receiving her award of recognition as a biodiversity steward. She also expressed that change comes from one’s community- that once an individual decides to take a stand, the rest will follow and be picked up by governing agencies who will take action to further assist in the cause.
“Isa sa pinaka-effective talaga na strategy namin is mag start sa volunteerism. Kailangan mag volunteer kami para din makita namin sincerity ng grupo namin kung sino talaga mag-stay in the long run. Kasi pag sila mismo nahirapan na sa simula, makikita namin yung passion nila sa grupo,” she also added.
Blooming BDFEs
President of MAMAFASWAS Ms Lizal Olmo (left) and president of the Dao Waterlily Association Ms. Rochelle Martinez (right) delivering their talks about their women-led associations and their BDFEs
Alongside the recognition of stewards, an exhibit featuring women-led enterprises was also opened to the public. Among the exhibitors were grantees from the Mindoro Biodiversity Corridor (MBC) and Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) under the DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project (BD Corridor Project) who also shared their experiences.
The Dao Waterlily Association, represented by their president Ms. Rochelle Martinez, featured products made from the waterlilies harvested from the Butas River of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. “Sobrang masaya po ako…Di ko po maipaliwanag pa yung tuwa na nadama ko dito. Na hindi lang yung samahan namin yung naipagmalaki ko dito maging yung kung ano yung pinagkakakitaan namin na water lily handicrafts na yun yung pangarap namin na madala dito sa city, sa Metro Manila,” Ms. Rochelle said.
BDFE booths showcasing products from buri palm leaves and waterlilies designed and made by women-led enterprises- MAMAFASWAS in EMBC and Dao Waterlily Association in MBC
The Maragaing Mamanwa Farmers Skilled Workers Association (MAMAFASWAS) represented by its president, Ms. Liza Olmo, shared that their handicrafts made from buri palm leaves tells a story of nature, culture, and community. Sustainable practices within their ancestral domain allow the buri palm to replenish its leaves to ensure continuous supply of raw materials.
This story is published under the DENR-UNDP/GEF Project “Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines” or BD Corridor Project, which seeks to operationalize integrated management of biodiversity corridors to generate multiple benefits, including effective conservation of globally threatened species and high conservation value forests, reduce deforestation and degradation, and enhance local biodiversity-friendly livelihoods.
The project is implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Global Environment Facility. 💜🤝
