B u i l d R e E F - LGU San Francisco, Cebu

𝐂𝐎𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝-𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭

In the Philippines, biodiversity is not merely cataloged; it is contested. Nowhere is this more painfully evident than in the life and death of Leonardo L. Co, a botanist whose field notebooks carried plant names, not political manifestos, yet whose work was fatally misread as rebellion.

According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Philippines is one of the 18 megadiverse countries, home to 70-80% of the world’s plant and animal species. However, in various conservation assessments, many plant species remain undocumented even as deforestation, mining, and climate stress accelerate their disappearance. Leonardo Co belonged to this generation of field scientists racing against extinction, building baseline knowledge on which effective conservation depends.

One of his most enduring legacies is Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines, a publicly accessible database established in his honor and developed through the collaborative efforts of botanists and researchers, bringing together tens of thousands of photographic records and species accounts from extensive field observations. This repository represents nearly half of the country’s documented plant diversity and continues to be a critical resource for researchers, conservation planners, and restoration specialists (Philippine Plants Org, n.d.).

Co’s work emphasized that biodiversity is not an abstract statistic but a living system entwined with human survival. In the book Common Medicinal Plants of the Cordillera Region (co-authored), Co foregrounded Indigenous knowledge as empirical data, making him the foremost authority in Philippine ethnobotany—a discipline that scientifically studies the relationships between people and plants, particularly Indigenous medicinal plant use refined through centuries of practice (Native Plants Committee – UP Baguio, 2022). This approach echoed a growing consensus in ecological science: blending traditional knowledge with scientific research leads to more effective conservation.

Yet as Dutta (2019) noted, in militarized landscapes, proximity to forests and Indigenous communities is often mistaken for proximity to rebellion. This collapse of distinction between scientist and insurgent is a recurring pattern in conflict zones where ecology overlaps with politics. Increasingly, such tactics are used to discredit and intimidate those who oppose mining, logging, or infrastructure projects in protected forest areas. In 2024 alone, at least 146 forest conservationists in the Philippines were killed or disappeared, per the Global Witness. When the term “terrorist” is flung without proof, it operates like a blunt instrument, erasing due process and scientific credibility in a single stroke.

Similar to that of Leonardo Co who was killed in 2010 while conducting field research in Kananga, Leyte, in what was initially described as an armed encounter. He was shot during a military operation that was later criticized for misrepresenting the circumstances of his death. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) found that the killings resulted from the military’s failure to properly identify civilians. Despite this finding, the Department of Justice reduced the charges against the soldiers to reckless imprudence, a decision widely condemned by the scientific community for downplaying accountability.

This mischaracterization has serious consequences for biodiversity. In megadiverse countries like the Philippines, where at least 1,294 animal species are already reported at risk of extinction, every field survey fills critical gaps in conservation strategy (Tanalgo et al., 2025). Yet the shortage of experts, combined with the red-tagging of field scientists, directly results in species left unprotected and ecosystems degraded before they can be studied. Without safeguarding those who research and defend biodiversity, conservation efforts are undermined at their very foundation.

In far-flung forests often stigmatized and left vulnerable, scientists work under constant threats to protect every species, from the smallest to the most elusive wildlife. The wrongful killing of Leonardo Co underscores the urgent need for accountability: policies that protect, not persecute; enforcement that preserves, not destroys. Conserving these red-tagged forests is a lifetime of dedication, often carried out with little recognition. With this, it is essential that these forests be protected, not only to safeguard biodiversity but to honor the commitment of those who devote themselves to preserving what remains.

SCITECH | Leobel Ferrer
LAYOUT | Joel de la Torre

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨’𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐄𝐅 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐒𝐅 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲!

On September 30, the Municipality of San Francisco, Cebu's Build ReEF Team participated in an inspiring PSF Capacity Building Activity at the Department of Finance in Manila. Represented by Alvincent Gonzaga, former WRDM Officer; Verity Formentera, former M&E Officer; together with the Build ReEF Project Focal Person, Ms. Naida S. Arquillano, MBO — joined with the 15 other PSF beneficiaries, ADB, UNDP, GIZ, and national government agencies to tackle the challenges faced in complying with documentary requirements to assist in improving compliance and ensure timely fund disbursement, therefore, minimizing delays in project implementation.

Everyone was warmly welcomed by DOF Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan Tiuseco, and the rest of the day was packed with valuable insights and guidance from her and Mr. Martin Paolo Baguio of DBP; Mr. John Adrian Narag, Director III of DOF, and a representative from Climate Change Commission as each of the LGU beneficiaries raised their queries regarding the topics discussed. The Commission on Audit was also there to share its findings on local climate performance audits at the local level.

Adding to the valuable discussions, Alvincent Gonzaga represented the Build ReEF Team, showcasing the best practices that emerged during the project implementation from its start in 2021 to its reported completion in the middle of 2022.

To top off the day, everyone was honored by the presence of DOF Secretary Ralph Recto and CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, who delivered inspiring words to motivate our local climate heroes.

Let the Municipality of San Francisco, Cebu’s lead in climate action, and the National Government's support inspire you to take your own! Join your local community’s sustainability initiatives now to make a difference—every effort counts!

Climate change and its impacts threaten global food security.

This World Food Day, the Climate Change Commission urges both national and local governments to promote the establishment of edible landscapes such as 'Gulayan sa Barangay' and 'Gulayan sa Paaralan' to ensure food security.

Leave no one behind by making food accessible for all.

World Food Day is commemorated every year on 16 October in honor of the Founding Anniversary of UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945.



Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Philippines
Department of Agriculture - Philippines
Office of the Press Secretary
Bureau of Communications Services
Philippine Information Agency
Philippine News Agency
Radio Television Malacañang - RTVM
PTV News

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬 | 𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮

Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines, serving as Luzon’s buffer and protection against strong typhoons, like .

With climate change, typhoons and other weather events are expected to be more intense, and to cause more losses and damages.

Towards a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines, the Climate Change Commission PH urges all to ramp-up nature-based solutions part of climate action: plant and grow more trees, report illegal activities, and advocate for the preservation and conservation of forests.

Proclamation No. 413, s. 2012 declared September 26 as Save Sierra Madre Day

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Ang Sierra Madre ang pinakamahabang bulubundukin sa Pilipinas, na nagsisilbing panangga at proteksyon ng Luzon laban sa malalakas na bagyo, tulad ng .

Kasabay ng nagbabagong klima, ang mga bagyo at iba pang mga sakuna ay inaasahang magiging mas matindi, at magdudulot ng mas maraming pinsala.

Tungo sa climate-smart at climate-resilient na Pilipinas, hinihikayat ng CCCC ang lahat na paigtingin ang mga ‘nature-based solutions’ kabahagi ng mas malaking pagkilos para sa klima: magtanim at magpatayog ng mga puno, iulat ang ilegal na mga gawain, at makiisa sa pangangalaga at konserbasyon ng mga kagubatan.

Idineklara ng Proklamasyon Blg. 413, s. 2012 ang ika-26 ng Setyembre bilang ‘Save Sierra Madre Day’.



Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Office of the Press Secretary
Bureau of Communications Services
Philippine Information Agency
Philippine News Agency
PTV News
Radio Television Malacañang - RTVM
Radyo Pilipinas

𝗣𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗚 𝗨𝗞𝗢𝗟 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗡 𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
25 Setyembre 2022, 11:00 A.M.

Umabot na sa kategoryang ‘Super Typhoon’ ang Bagyong Karding matapos magkaroon ng ‘explosive intensification’ o ang hindi inaasahang paglakas ng bagyo sa maikling panahon.

Ayon sa Dost_pagasa, matapos ang agarang pagbilis sa loob lamang ng 24 oras, ang Super Typhoon Karding ay may lakas ng hangin (maximum sustained winds) na 185 kilometer per hour, at pagbugso (gustiness) na umaabot ng 230 kilometer per hour.

Nakararanas na ng malakas na hangin at ulan ang mga lalawigan ng Isabela, Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte at Camarines Sur.

Habang binabagtas ang pa-kanlurang bahagi ng bansa, inaasahang din ang epekto ng bagyo sa Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Aurora, Rizal, at hilagang bahagi ng Quezon kabilang ang Polillo Islands.

Dulot ng bagyo, pinapaalalahan ang publiko na maghanda sa malaking posibilidad ng pagbaha at (rain-induced) landslides sa mga hazard-prone areas na dadaanan ng bagyo, at storm surge sa low-lying at exposed coastal areas sa bahagi ng Quezon.

Ang Super Typhoon Karding ay ang ika-11 bagyo sa Pilipinas ngayong taon.

Kumpara sa mga nakaraang bagyo, ang Super Typhoon Karding ay may lakas na higit pa sa Bagyong Odette (2021) at Pablo (2012).

Kasabay ng pagsasagawa ng ibayong paghahanda at hakbang pagkaligtasan, pinapaalalahanan ng Climate Change Commission PH ang lahat na manatiling alerto sa banta sa kapaligiran.

Patuloy na makipag-ugnayan sa lokal na pamahalaan at otoridad ukol sa paglikas at sa iba pang pangangailangan.

Para sa karagdagang kaalaman ng LGUs at ng publiko ukol sa mga area-specific na mga banta, maaring bisitahin ang website ng UP NOAH ng UP Resilience Institute , at Hazard Hunter ng DOST , o i-download mula sa Google Play ang NDRRMC Monitoring Dashboard.

Ang mga bagyo at epekto nito, tulad ng Super Typhoon Karding, ay maaari pang mas tumindi dulot ng climate change. Patuloy na nakikiisa ang Climate Change Commission sa lahat upang mapag-igting at mapabilis ang mga aksyong tungo sa pagiging Climate-Smart at Climate-Resilient na bansa. #



Philippine Information Agency
Philippine News Agency
Office of the Press Secretary
PTV News
Radyo Pilipinas
Radio Television Malacañang - RTVM

The United Nations General Assembly adopted on Thursday Resolution 76/300 declaring access to clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right.

The Philippines is among the 161 nations which voted in favor of the resolution.

Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje commended the adoption of the historic resolution citing its importance to developing countries like the Philippines, most vulnerable to triple planetary threats of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

“It’s a clear articulation of the aspirations of all nations for what is right and just for all the peoples of the world - a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” he said.

To do this, Secretary Borje pointed to the need to “build right at first sight," and anchor actions on principles of climate justice.

Office of the Press Secretary
Philippine Information Agency
Philippine News Agency
Radio Television Malacañang - RTVM

The current world population is almost 8 billion according to United Nations. By 2050, it is anticipated to reach 9.8 billion.

As stewards of this planet, let us maximize our human capital to step up climate and environmental actions to address climate change and its impacts.

Happy World Population Day!

July 11 was designated as the World Population Day by virtue of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 45/216.

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Ang kasalukuyang populasyon ng mundo ay halos nasa 8 bilyon ayon sa United Nations. Sa taong 2050, inaasahang aabot ito sa 9.8 bilyon.

Bilang tagapangalaga ng ating mundo, pagtibayin natin ang ating mga hakbang upang masolusyonan ang pagbabago ng klima at mga epekto nito.

Happy World Population Day!

Sa bisa ng Resolution 45/216 ng United Nations General Assembly, itinalaga ang July 11 bilang World Population Day.

The Climate Change Commission congratulates Senator Loren Legarda on her inauguration as Senator of the 19th Congress.

Loren Legarda
Senate of the Philippines
PCOO Global Media Affairs
Philippine Information Agency
Philippine News Agency