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Equator Prize finalists exemplify people’s efficacy in sustainable environment, livelihoods 06.22.2007 Two initiatives from the Philippines were recently awarded Certificates of Recognition in the Equator Prize, an international recognition of extraordinary work to diminish poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
CERD and PENAGMANNAKI received their Certificates of Recognition in ceremonies at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel last June 13. Top photo shows (l-r) former DENR Secretary & Vice Chairman of GEF SGP National Steering Committee Victor O. Ramos, Angelita Cadeliña-SU CENTROP, Apolinario Cariño-Coordinator PENAGMANNAKI, Henry Abancio-President- PENAGMANNAKI, and Mr. Kyo Naka – UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. Bottom photo shows Ma. Jovelyn Cleofe, CERD Executive Director, and Mariter Quiñones, CERD Program Coordinator, receiving their Certificate from Mr. Kyo Naka.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) held the awarding ceremony to recognize the efforts of people’s organizations in two Philippine communities who were among the 25 winning finalists from a total pool of 310 nominations from 70 nations.
The work of the Center for Empowerment & Resource Development (CERD) with fisherfolk in Hinatuan Bay, Surigao del Sur was nominated for efforts on the effective management of the marine and coastal resources on which the community depend on for livelihood.
The Pederasyon sa mga Nagkahiusang mga Mag-uuma nga Nanalipud ug Nagpasig-uli sa Kinaiyahan Inc. (PENAGMANNAKI), received recognition as well for the people’s conservation efforts in Mt. Talinis and the Twin Lakes area in Negros Oriental.
The Equator Initiative, launched in January 2002, is a partnership that brings together the United Nations, civil society, business, governments and communities to help build the capacity and raise the profile of grassroots efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It is dubbed as the Equator Initiative as its scope covers the world’s greatest concentrations of biological wealth that are found in equatorial regions, in countries that also have some of the highest levels of poverty. The Equator Prize has been awarded biennially to further advance the understanding within the global community of the vital link between healthy, biologically diverse environments and the creation of sustainable livelihoods.
UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviş said of the finalists and winners, “In offering my congratulations to these remarkable communities, I would like to draw attention to the countless community initiatives around the world that are undertaking similar efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The proliferation and scaling up of efforts such as these is critical to the achievement of our common goals to conserve biodiversity, respond to climate change and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”
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