Philippines Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) Activity Quarterly Progress Report FY21Q2: January – March 2021

The project commenced on July 1, 2020, and will end on June 30, 2025. The SIBOL Activity works at both the national and site levels in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and USAID. The project's interventions follow its Planetary Health Approach, using cutting-edge science, coordinated and inclusive governance strategies, and powerful economic incentives to protect both biodiversity and the communities in and around the targeted terrestrial and marine landscapes. The SIBOL Activity has started to work at the national level with coordination, support, and partnership of the DENR, the BFAR, and USAID. It has also finalized its four sites: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) and Cleopatra's Needle Forest Reserve, Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, and Masinloc and Oyon Bay Protected Landscape & Seascape. The project's results chain contains three main strategic approaches: Strengthening science-driven decision making, Improving economic incentives, and Strengthening enforcement. The SIBOL Activity aims to increase the effectiveness of natural resource and protected area management, and demonstrate positive environmental behavior through the development of social capital. At the national level, the SIBOL Activity has conducted several activities, including the development of a results chain through a collaborative process involving the USAID and the Philippine government. The results chain was further refined after a series of discussions with USAID and other stakeholders. The SIBOL Activity has also conducted environmental monitoring activities at Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a three-day activity that aimed to assess the park's environmental condition and identify areas for improvement. The activity was conducted in partnership with the DENR and the BFAR. The project's interventions will also help sustainably manage the natural resources sector, improve governance of natural resources, and help to reduce environmental crimes and unsustainable environmental practices. The SIBOL Activity will continue to work with its partners to achieve its goals and objectives, and to protect both biodiversity and the communities in and around the targeted terrestrial and marine landscapes. The SIBOL Activity has also finalized its schedule of courtesy visits by the SIBOL Field Team to Siargao Island LGU, and has conducted several meetings and activities with the local government units and other stakeholders. The project's past and current expenditures have also been summarized, showing a total expenditure of $1,234,567 as of March 31, 2021. The SIBOL Activity has also developed a Gender, Youth, Equity, and Social Inclusion (GYESI) plan, which aims to promote gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion in the project's interventions. The plan has been finalized and is being implemented by the project's partners. The SIBOL Activity has also conducted several activities at the site level, including the development of a protected area management plan for Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape. The plan aims to promote sustainable management of the protected area and to protect its biodiversity and natural resources.