Information
Home » Energy & Environment » Urban Environmental Mgmt. » Water Quality » VEG
VOLUNTEERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE (VEG)
BACKGROUND
The Philippines continue to face major challenges in protecting and managing its natural resources, which support the country's productivity and local people's well being. Over one-third of the country's endemic 12,000 plant species and 500 of the world's 700 known coral species that are globally important are near extinction. The majority of the 20 million forest dwellers and 815 coastal municipalities in the country depend on these natural resources for their livelihoods. During the last 50 years, the country's natural resource base has been severely degraded due to over-fishing, destructive fishing practices, and illegal logging and conversion of natural forests. Open access and poor governance have allowed overexploitation of forests, coral reefs and marine resources often leading to violent conflict. As a result, the country now has among the lowest forest cover per capita in the tropics and only 5% of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems are in excellent condition. Unmanaged wastes due to rapid and unplanned urbanization pollute water, soil and coastal resources leading to further resource degradation.
Purpose and Activities
To reduce environmental degradation and protect biodiversity, USAID/Philippines supports the Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) activities in promoting good environmental governance in Local Government Units (LGUs) and other local institutions, PCV's activities are aimed to sustainably manage forest, coastal-marine and water resources, and promote integrated solid waste management.
Through the Volunteers for Environmental Governance Project (VEG), USAID will support activities in the following areas:
-
strengthening institutional capacity of LGUs and other local institutions to implement better environmental management,
enhancing capacity of LGUs, other local institutions and communities to enforce environmental laws,
mobilizing financial resources to support better environmental management,
raising public awareness to generate greater support towards good environmental governance, and
improving local environmental policies.
Activities and Priority Actions
-
Priority actions include maintenance of forests and coastal-marine resources, and number of marine sanctuaries.
Activities include providing assistance through small grants sponsored by Peace Corps Volunteers to support the implementation of these priority actions.
Activities also include assistance to local communities to identify sustainable financing mechanisms for natural resource management projects, potable water supply, sanitation and solid waste management initiatives and livelihood projects in support of proper natural resources management.
Another component also include conducting public awareness and information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to raise awareness on the various environmental challenges to consequently create a demand for better environmental governance.
MORE INFO
Peace Corps Philippines
Tom Gerhardt
Program and Training Officer
6/F, PNB Financial Center
Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.
Pasay City, Philippines
Tel. Nos.: (632) 833-6420
Fax No.: (632) 833-6425
Period Covered: Oct 2004 to Sept 2009