GTZ project in Northern Leyte, Samar and Mindanao

According to the Philippine Star, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) has launched a 2.7-million-euro “Climate-Relevant Modernization of the National Forest Policy and Piloting of REDD Measures in the Philippines” in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Potential REDD pilot areas include forests in Northern Leyte’s Anonang-Lobi mountains, the Philippine Eagle’s known habitats in Samar, and the Caraga region in Mindanao.

DENR and participating Local Government Units (LGUs) will provide counterpart in-kind contributions of personnel, offices, materials and various operational needs equivalent to 500,000 euros. NGOs will also be engaged to promote discussion of land and user rights, build local capacities in participatory forest protection and rehabilitation, develop local policies and agreements on forest and nature protection, implement information and awareness building campaigns, and support policy dialogues.