A new collaboration to advance biodiversity conservation is underway, as the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) officially joined forces with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region V and other agencies to strengthen the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Project. A formal memorandum of understanding was signed on June 30, 2025, at the Marison Hotel in Legazpi City.
The DENR-ABS Project operates under the umbrella of the United Nations Development Programme Philippines, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Its core objective is to bolster the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in the Philippines. This international agreement, supplementary to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), ensures the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources.
The MOU signing formalized crucial regional and site-level partnerships among government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), and private sector stakeholders to establish a unified front for biodiversity conservation.
Mr. Henry A. Abawag, Stakeholder Engagement and Gender Specialist of the UNDP-DENR ABS Project, underscored the collective dedication of all participating entities. He noted that this partnership will support ABS-related initiatives across various fronts, including policy development, capacity-building, research, enterprise development, and biodiversity management.
Dr. Emerson L. Bergonio, Vice President for Academic Affairs, represented CBSUA President Dr. Alberto N. Naperi at the signing. Dr. Bergonio emphasized the university’s commitment, stating, “This partnership highlights our university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development, aligning perfectly with our institution’s mission.”
The signing ceremony garnered strong support from numerous national agencies, demonstrating a broad commitment to the ABS Project. Representatives were present from the DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA), DA – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Additionally, key consortia and academic institutions such as the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD), Bicol University (BU), and Sorsogon State University (SorSU) were in attendance.
CBSUA’s pivotal role in the project was also recognized during the event. This reaffirmation underscored the university’s commitment to empowering communities to benefit from the country’s rich biological wealth and to integrating ABS principles into its policies, guidelines, and programs on enterprise development.
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