Solidifying partnerships for the Philippines’ marine environment and coral reefs: DENR and GIZ sign Implementation Agreement for the GIZ ASEAN 3RproMar Project

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and GIZ signed the Implementation Agreement (IA) for the GIZ Project "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Protect the Marine Environment and Coral Reefs (3RproMar)" on September 5, further solidifying the partnership between the two agencies, especially in pursuing their goal of protecting and conserving the country’s marine ecosystem. The 3RproMar Project, which runs until June 2025, supports ASEAN Member States (AMS) in enhancing capacities to reduce land-based waste leakage and protect the marine environment. The Project interventions include enhancement of regional cooperation and knowledge management among the representatives of the ASEAN working groups dealing with marine litter and plastic pollution; support to the development of national measures for waste leakage reduction in the focused member states; increasing the involvement of the private sector’s contribution to waste reduction; and implementing pilot projects in selected municipalities along the plastic value chain. In the Philippines, the pilot projects are implemented in Guimaras Province and in Metro Bacolod, Negros Occidental.

In attendance were Honorable DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga who highlighted the significance of the signing of the IA in advancing and accelerating collaborative action towards the reduction of land-based waste leakage and protection of the country’s marine environment. She expressed hope that with the signing, further support can be extended to the pilot areas through the envisioned next phase of the Project. She was joined by other DENR Officials, Atty. Jonas R. Leones, DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs, Director Al Orolfo of the DENR Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service, Director Jaqueline Caancan and Assistant Director Esperanza Sajul of the DENR Environmental Management Bureau. GIZ’s Country Director for Philippines and the Pacific Island Countries Immanuel Gebhardt, and 3RproMar Project Team Leader for the Philippines, Dr. Johannes Paul, also graced the event.