National Steering Committee (NSC) members, chaired by Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones, along with the United Nations Development Programme representatives, other National Government Agency directors and leaders, staff and other significant stakeholders on a photo opportunity during the first NSC meeting of 2026 in Luxent Hotel. [Banner Photo]
Members of the National Steering Committee for SGP convened on a meeting for the recently signed and launched Eighth Operational Phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP8) in the Philippines last May 20, 2026 at Luxent Hotel, Timog Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
Joined and presided over by Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the NSC meeting convened 10 members and representatives of the SGP NSC for the constituting of the NSC for the Eighth Operational Phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in the Philippines. The constituted committee shall serve as the decision-making body of the new operational cycle which shall decide on the preliminary operational mechanisms of the programme. More specifically, the following agenda items were discussed on the meeting, and were raised for approval:
- Constituting the National Steering Committee of SGP8;
- SGP8 Global Project Document;
- Country Programme Strategy;
- Work and Budget Plan; and
- Call for Proposals on the Landscape-level Non-Government Organization Hubs.
In the photo (from left to right): DENR Office of Policy, Planning, and International Affairs; DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau; and Forest Foundation Philippines
In the opening remarks delivered by Usec Leones as the chairman of the committee, he emphasized the importance of the meeting as a gathering of decision makers whose decisions will matter on the implementation of the new operational cycle of SGP in the coming years. Recognizing all that are present in the plenary, the chair emphasized the need to strengthen each and everyone’s coordination and commitment as members of the NSC so it could ensure that SGP8 remains responsive to the needs of the communities and ecosystems in the country.
The meeting met a quorum with nine other primary NSC members and representatives present at the meeting. The following institutions were in attendance: Biodiversity Management Bureau, DENR, United Nations Development Programme, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, National Commission on Indigenous People, Department of Interior and Local Governance, Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc., Philippine Business for Social Progress, Representative of the Asian Institute of Technology Alumni Association – Philippine Chapter Inc., (Sustainable, Accessible, and Free for Everyone Droplet, Inc.). Other notable individuals present are Ms. Maria Theresa V. Espino Yap, ENP and Mr. Mark Ramirez of UNDP, Atty. Alaya De Leon (Deputy Executive Director, Forest Foundation Philippines) Mr. Errol Gatumbato (SGP-7 National Coordinator) and Dr. Leajim Villanueva (SGP-7 Regional Coordinator).
UNDP. Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrie during his delivery of a short message for the plenary on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme after a request made by the Chair.
Mr. Edwine Carrie expressed his delight towards the Philippines’ implementation of the Small Grants Programme. Building from the gains of the previous operational cycle (SGP-7), he mentioned how this is a great time to look back at the implementation of SGP-7 through the Project Management Unit of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), maximize this opportunity, and continue the efforts established so far. SGP, being a unique mechanism that puts the local communities at the heart of its program, makes him hope for better things for SGP8.
All agenda items were discussed and all matters subject to decision-making, particularly the work and budget plan and the call for proposals for landscape-level NGO hubs, were approved and adopted by the body. Through the discussions made, only clarifications, suggestions, and recommendations on the matters presented were raised. The NSC Members also agreed on the identified action points and next steps, emphasizing the importance of sustained coordination and resource complementation to maximize the programme’s impact on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and community development.
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The Eighth Operational Phase of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme in the Philippines (SGP8) builds upon 30 years of successfully empowering local civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to design and lead community-driven initiatives. The objective is to engage local CSOs/CBOs in landscape-seascape approaches with an intent to further capacitate and empower their community-driven initiatives targeted to achieve enhanced well-being, increased awareness and resilience, and global environmental benefits.
To learn more about SGP8, an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by Forest Foundation Philippines, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), visit www.forestfoundation.ph.
