PH forms Philippine AHP network to closely monitor heritage parks, reinforce biodiversity commitments

 PH forms Philippine AHP network to closely monitor heritage parks, reinforce biodiversity commitments

By Christopher Hedreyda

September 10, 2026

QUEZON CITY (PIA) – Driven by the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship and its commitment to global and national environmental targets, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), formally established the Philippine ASEAN Heritage Parks Network (PAN) to strengthen the protection of natural resources and conservation of the country’s biodiversity.

During the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Heritage Parks Forum on Tuesday, September 8, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said PAN is expected to bring together protected area and heritage park managers while creating a stronger platform for collaboration, reaffirming commitments under the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan and ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and sustaining measures aligned with the broader global agenda on biodiversity and sustainable development.

“The deeper value of a regional network [is] it allows eleven nations to pursue one global framework together, sharing what works, learning from what does not, and multiplying, region-wide, the impact that no single country could achieve alone,” Cuna added.

The ACB, which serves as the secretariat of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Program, commended the Philippine government’s initiative to establish PAN as part of its efforts to safeguard natural resources and protect ecosystems. The center also expressed its readiness to support capacity-building initiatives for park managers and local communities.

“The Philippine AHP network will serve as beacons of hope in the country, to serve as guiding light for the rest of the protected areas and other conservations. At the regional level, the platform also serves as a bridge to connect. The ACB mobilizes resources from dialogue partners and other financing partners to channel more resources for multi-country within the ASEAN in terms of heritage parks conservation, promotion,” ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome Montemayor said during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.

According to Ryan Cuanan, chief ecosystems management specialist at the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), the bureau encourages park managers to develop effective programs that can be implemented across all 14 AHP sites and the 251 protected areas nationwide.

Cuanan said PAN’s capacity-building and communication activities will not only involve those who supervise and maintain heritage parks but will also directly engage local communities to ensure that they are empowered to protect and safeguard natural resources within protected areas.

“Mas makakatulong ito sa mga communities because of promoting the values of protected areas. Mas makikita natin ang benefits nito sa communities, and at the same time, marealize din ang contribution ng communities to our ecosystems. Two-dimensional ang magiging approach nito, benefits to the communities and community’s contribution to maintaining the ecosystem values,” he explained.

For Dr. Lerma Maldia, director of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, which supervises the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, the establishment of a network between AHPs is beneficial, particularly in sharing good practices in forest protection.

“Although we are in the academe, we may have other practices that can be learned from other AHPs especially those with engaging to communities definitely we will be able to learn. So I hope we will be able to also in return be able to help them in capacity building especially in technical capacities,” Maldia said.

With the continuing threats posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which contribute to hazards in the country, DENR-BMB said that providing the public with the right information and education could encourage more Filipinos to take action and support environmental initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of calamities.

“Educating them about the important benefits we derive for our protected areas nang sa gayon ay malessen ang effects ng climate change sa pagbabago ng klima. Kapag may maayos tayong gubat, mas maayos na dagat, mas malelessen ang init ng panahon na nararamdaman natin ngayon at the same time ay mamitigate ang impacts ng floods as well as sa coastal communities din in maintaining food security, which benefits the community,”

The formation of PAN is an integral part of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen protected area management, restore forests and habitats, integrate biodiversity into local development planning, conserve wildlife species, promote sustainability reporting, and mobilize financing for conservation efforts.

The Environment department also supports the country’s medium-term plan, the Philippine Development Plan, and the long-term plan, AmBisyon Natin 2040, by ensuring a clean, safe, and sustainable environment where Filipino families can enjoy a healthy, resilient, and comfortable life. (CH/PIA-CALABARZON)