Sukat ng Kalikasan: A key toolkit for managing protected areas

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With the recent signing of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (Pencas) bill into law (Republic Act No. 11995), the Philippines has taken a critical step toward safeguarding its natural heritage.

However, recognizing the value of our ecosystems is just the first piece of the puzzle. The next crucial step is ensuring the availability of robust tools to translate Pencas principles into concrete action.

This is where the Sukat ng Kalikasan (Nature Metrics) toolkit comes in.

Developed by a consortium of environmental champions, including the Center for Conservation Innovations PH Inc. (CCIPH) as a main author, Sukat ng Kalikasan offers a comprehensive and practical guide for managing protected areas.

Taking action

Sukat ng Kalikasan is ready for immediate deployment, empowering stakeholders with the knowledge and resources necessary to effectively monitor and address threats to precious ecosystems.

This user-friendly toolkit complements Pencas by providing the on-the-ground implementation framework to fulfill the law’s ambitious goals.

While Pencas paints the big picture, Sukat ng Kalikasan provides the tools to take action. Together, these essential measures allow for safeguarding the Philippines’ natural capital.

As one of the architects of Sukat ng Kalikasan, CCIPH is urging all stakeholders to fast-track the integration of this vital toolkit into Pencas implementation plans, to unlock the full potential of this groundbreaking legislation and propel the Philippines toward greater sustainable environmental management.

With all stakeholders collaborating to ensure the smooth and successful integration of Sukat ng Kalikasan, the promise of Pencas will turn into tangible action for the benefit of the country’s environment and future generations.

Sukat ng Kalikasan is a joint initiative of the DENR and the United States Agency for International Development’s Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) Project, which includes a consortium of natural resource management and biodiversity conservation experts including Forest Foundation Philippines, Resources, Environment, and Economics Center for Studies Inc (REECS), and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). It also involves various national government agencies, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.