The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) have recently renewed ties to boost biodiversity conservation efforts through various programs and activities.
The renewal of the partnership extends joint activities and collaboration in the next three years.
Under the partnership agreement, which was signed during the recently concluded Asean Biodiversity Heroes Forum in Manila last August 11, ACB and MPIC committed to working further to mainstream the values of biodiversity and implement joint programs and activities for ecosystem restoration.
“We are happy to work side-by-side with MPIC as one of our private sector partners in championing biodiversity conservation in the country and in the whole of Asean. This partnership renewal is not just a recognition of the successes of our previous collaboration, but this speaks a lot about the effectiveness of our work in integrating biodiversity across various sectors,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, ACB executive director.
During the initial partnership forged in 2021, ACB and MPIC jointly implemented regional conservation initiatives, such as the Asean Green Initiative, the seventh Asean Heritage Parks (AHP) Conference, business and biodiversity dialogues, and the Asean Biodiversity Heroes recognition program.
MPIC is also supporting Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, one of the 55 AHPs in the region, through its Shore It Up! Project.
AHPs are protected areas in the region that were recognized for their rich biological resources and effective management. The ACB serves as the secretariat of the AHP program.
These activities resulted in increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring meaningful actions and synergies among youths, private, and public sectors; the protection of around 5,300 mangroves in the country, and the improvement of the flora and fauna among the Asean member states that eventually contributed to ecosystems restoration and coastal and marine conservation.
“Being a business involved in essential services, MPIC has embraced a holistic approach in doing sustainability. We underscore the importance of protecting nature and the environment and it is important for us to partner with ACB since we have been doing many good initiatives together,” said June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, chief financial officer and chief sustainability officer of MPIC.
“Renewing our partnership is a testament to our commitment in supporting and in participating in many initiatives so we can collectively protect nature and have a good future for everyone,” Cabal-Revilla added.
The signing of the partnership renewal instrument was led by Lim and Cabal-Revilla, in the presence of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who is one of the recognized Asean Biodiversity Heroes, the highest distinction given to Asean citizens with outstanding contributions to biodiversity conservation in the region.
