Manila, Philippines — Forest Foundation Philippines, through the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS), officially opened its Request for Proposals (RFP) for site-based grants in Negros Oriental on March 11, 2025, focusing on the power of nature to ensure climate resilience of communities.
The event marked the launch of its second RFP for its site-based grants, highlighting the call for community-based and gender-responsive NbS project proposals to help reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change impacts in Negros Oriental. The program could fund two to three (2-3) projects within Ocoy and Banica River Watersheds (PhP 2 million to PhP 6 million for each project), to be implemented for up to two (2) years. Eligible proponents include Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations (POs), and other community-based organizations registered and active in the Philippines.
“We are fortunate that the province of Negros Oriental was chosen as one of the intended pilot areas for this huge program, since Negros Oriental is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” said Mr. Manric Barillo, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Division (PENRD) Head, Negros Oriental, as he welcomed the program in Negros Oriental.
To ensure a gender-responsive NbS implementation, the program conducted Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) and a Gender-Based Analysis-Plus (GBA-Plus) assessment in the target sites. Based on these assessments, PCP4NbS identified its target sites within the Ocoy and Banica River Watersheds in Negros Oriental, including specific barangays in Dumaguete City, Dauin, Sibulan, and Valencia.
Proposed projects should respond to the results of these baseline assessments, addressing the hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks experienced by communities in the target sites. Priority will be given to solutions that provide equal opportunities to women and men in accessing and managing natural resources, as well as strengthen women’s capacities and leadership.
NbS are cost-effective actions that protect, regenerate, and enhance ecosystems while responding to the needs of the community and safeguarding biodiversity. The Government of Canada has committed PhP 332 million (CA$8 million), a fund managed by Forest Foundation Philippines, to support local organizations in implementing holistic, community-based, and gender-responsive initiatives based on NbS principles.
Civil society organizations (CSOs), peoples organizations and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Negros Oriental came together for a ceremonial activity at the PCP4NbS Request for Proposals Launch, envisioning Ocoy and Banica River Watersheds supported by communities that adopt gender-responsive nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation. Negros Oriental PENRD Head, Mr. Manric Barillo and PhilBio’s Lisa Paguntalan-Marte express their support for NbS for climate adaptation in the province.
“Climate change is not only felt by the people; it is also felt by the wildlife,” said Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, Executive Director of the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (PhilBio). The program also identifies economic opportunities and nature-based, community-led livelihoods in areas such as agroforestry, urban greening, and mangrove restoration, showcasing the potential for sustainable development, while conserving biodiversity and restoring ecosystems in the face of the changing climate.
Interested organizations can visit the Forest Foundation Philippines website, the PCP4NbS microsite, and its social media channels (@forestfoundationph) for more information about the program and its grants in Negros Oriental.
