The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) joined the global celebration of 2025 World Wildlife Day (WWD) with the theme “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet” held on 3 March 2025 in Quezon City.

This year’s celebration highlighted two key themes: recognizing outstanding contributions to wildlife law enforcement and exploring sustainable financing mechanisms for long-term conservation efforts.

Beyond honoring the dedication of individuals combating illegal wildlife trade, the event also served as a crucial platform for advancing financial solutions that ensure the protection of our country’s rich biodiversity. By bridging law enforcement excellence with sustainable funding strategies, the celebration underscored the interconnectedness of strong governance and long-term conservation success.

Assistant Secretary of Biodiversity and concurrent Director of BMB, Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., emphasized the reality that safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity entails substantial financial resources. He further explained that “effective conservation is not a cost-free endeavor. It requires sustained financial support to protect wildlife and its habitats, implement robust enforcement measures, and foster sustainable practices.”

Meanwhile, Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr., Undersecretary for Legal and Administration and Supervising Undersecretary of BMB, conveyed in his keynote message that “securing long-term, inclusive and effective financing is not just an option, but a necessity to safeguard our planet’s biodiversity for future generations.” USEC Adobo also reiterated the significance of collaboration across sectors, particularly on upscaling conservation efforts.

Mr. Joaquin L. San Agustin, the Executive Vice President for Marketing at SM Supermalls, reaffirmed their strong commitment to wildlife conservation alongside the DENR. He highlighted SM Supermalls’ campaign through Kultura, which focuses on protecting six threatened species: the Philippine Pangolin, Philippine Eagle, Tamaraw, Marine Turtles, Cockatoo, and Dugong. He also gave emphasis on providing a powerful platform to raise awareness among millions of Filipinos, fostering greater public engagement in conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, Mr. Monzour Buendia Umali, the Corporate Communications, Public Relations & Sustainability Lead from the Corporate Affairs Group of Toyota Motor Philippines, recognized the hard work and dedication of the government and non-government organizations in wildlife conservation and protection. In his message, Mr. Umali Toyota mentioned Toyota’s various programs which seek to address environmental challenges, particularly pollution, resources depletion and nature conservation. He expressed support to wildlife conservation as part of their corporate contribution to this shared responsibility.

One of the key highlights of the event was the 11th Wildlife Law Enforcement Awarding Ceremony, where exceptional individuals were recognized for their commitment to wildlife law enforcement and conservation.

The celebration also honored the dedication of four hundred fifty-six (456) officials from enforcement agencies for their invaluable assistance and unwavering dedication in enforcing the provisions of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147), contributing to the protection of the country’s remaining wildlife species. The awardees included officers and personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG), PNP Police Provincial Offices (PPO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Local Government Unit of Davao Oriental.

Among the highlights of the event was the ceremonial signing of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Agreements, including those between the DENR and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and among NCIP Region III, Businesspeople, Inc., and the Maporac Ayta Organization – Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (MAO-CADT) Indigenous People Group. These agreements underscored shared and unified commitment to sustainable resource management and the equitable distribution of benefits derived from biodiversity. Furthermore, it marked a significant step in encouraging more community-driven initiatives in wildlife conservation, fostering a future where biodiversity conservation is both sustainable and inclusive. Related to this, the BMB launched the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Clearing House Mechanism. This milestone reaffirms the country’s commitment to equitable and sustainable biodiversity management, ensuring that the benefits derived from genetic resources are shared fairly among all stakeholders.

The celebration concluded with a forum that highlighted existing wildlife conservation strategies, action plans, and financial innovations for conservation initiatives in the country.

Partner NGOs and conservation experts from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI), Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program and Palawan Pangolin Conservation Program of KFI, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines, and the Tamaraw Conservation Program of DENR MIMAROPA provided firsthand insights into the pressing conservation needs of some of the country’s most threatened species. In responding to these needs, existing financial innovations for wildlife conservation initiatives were presented by the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Philippines and the Quezon City Government, showcasing strategies for securing sustainable funding.

The forum emphasized how public-private partnerships, corporate engagement, and community-driven initiatives are shaping the future of conservation finance in the Philippines. Furthermore, it served as a platform for enhancing collaboration among diverse stakeholders, fostering the development of innovative financial mechanisms to bridge funding gaps and ensure long-term wildlife conservation efforts.

The annual celebration of World Wildlife Day served as a powerful reminder of the crucial role that wildlife plays in maintaining ecological balance, supporting livelihoods, and ensuring the well-being of present and future generations.

More than just a celebration, this year’s event reinforced our commitment to sustaining commendable conservation efforts and promoting innovative financial mechanisms that drive impactful, long-term conservation initiatives. It also served as a call to action to invest in wildlife conservation—not just for the benefit of nature, but for the well-being of both people and the planet.