The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), and PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PFPI) recently sealed a pivotal tripartite partnership, signaling a concerted effort to address pressing issues ranging from environmental degradation to poverty exacerbated by the climate crisis and population growth.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga led the signing ceremony with Mr. Lolito Tacardon, the Deputy Executive Director of CPD, and Ms. Joan Regina Castro, MD, the Executive Vice President of PFPI.
This collaborative effort underscores the integration of Population, Health, Environment, and Development (PHED) concerns as fundamental to achieving sustainable development objectives. It also emphasizes the critical role of managing population growth rates in combating environmental degradation and adapting to climate change impacts.
The Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD POA) has underscored the necessity of departing from isolated and siloed approaches and strategies and embracing integration. The collaboration among CPD, DENR—particularly its Climate Change Service (DENR-CCS)—and PFPI aims to harmonize efforts in improving population management, climate action, and community resilience.
PFPI is leading the initiative, steering a five-year USAID project called Building Capacity for Integrated Family Planning/Reproductive Health and Population, Environment, and Development Action (BUILD). This endeavor aims to amplify advocacy, policy communication, and negotiations to galvanize multisectoral commitment toward PHED integration.
A roadmap will be developed for coordinated activities, emphasizing disseminating key messages regarding PHED integration and advocating for cross-sectoral approaches. Through collaborative training sessions, workshops, and technical assistance, the partnership seeks to bolster the achievement of its objectives within the PHED domain.
The signing of the tripartite partnership signifies a unified commitment among the parties towards a shared vision of enhancing the quality of life for Filipinos through concerted endeavors that embed PHED considerations.###
