FPE Conference

Regional Consultative Meeting (Foundation for the Philippine Environment)

The Regional Consultative Meeting by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment was held last April 12, 2012 7:00am to 9pm. 
We arrived at the Pearl Hall, Innotech Commonwealth, Quezon City around 11am. Upon registration, we were given an envelope containing copies of the presentations, booklets on environment, FPE, agriculture, etc. FPE or the Foundation for the Philippine Environment is the first grant-making institution for the environment in the Philippines. It has partnerships with 334 NGOs (non-government organizations and POs (people's organizations) and 24 academic institutions. 

The conference started on presenting the FPE's "evaluation" of the funds released and the accomplished projects. Student organizations as well as the LGUs can also request for funds they are just asked to have a partnership with an NGO. FPE's funds come from the United States Agency for for International Development (USAID) and Bank of Tokyo in sustaining environmental projects here in the Philippines. Specifically, funds go to Project Development Grant (PDG), Forest Restoration, Research Grants (Capacity Building Advocacy Research Mobilization), etc. 


Every presentation is followed by an open forum. During the open forum, topics like the problems on food safety in Visayas and Mindanao, funds for Green Economy Development are discussed. 


The areas addressed were also presented. Logging, Mining and Climate change are few problems that are currently threatening our country and I have learned that before making any action, areas should be assessed first (Resource and Social Economic Assessment). 


There was a question raised that really made me think. Should FPE shoulder other expenses of the NGOs such as the salaries of the staff, insurances, etc? 

FPE said that every proposal should be packaged completely including every small detail an NGO needs. Also, every proposal should aim to address the problems in Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. FPE's stand in logging and mining are also discussed including the role of lawyers in environmental NGOs. The National Greening Program (NGP) was also discussed. It is a reforestation farming system that will answer our environmental problems.

I am amazed on how these people take environment matters seriously. They think of every possible ways on how they can reduce the causes of climate change and other environmental problems. They are very passionate in looking at everything when it comes to environment and they are ready to voice out all their concerns for them to do achieve their goals. It is good when you talk with people who are advocates of the environment, surely you will learn a lot of things that will motivate you to be a better person. 

Philippines, in its geographical state, is indeed vulnerable to calamities that are brought by climate change and other harmful human activities. However, nothing is impossible in saving the earth given the resources, manpower, planning and teamwork. 


Collaboration with different organizations will mean more possibilities, more chance that we protect the environment and introduce innovations.