The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday welcomed the strengthening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the US on various areas of mutual interest, including cooperation on climate change, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and water security.
DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga was invited by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be part of the Philippine delegation during the President’s official visit to Washington, D.C. from April 30 to May 4.
The meeting between President Marcos and US President Joe Biden at the White House yielded several new bilateral commitments and reaffirmed the continued partnership between the two countries.
Mr. Marcos was joined by Loyzaga in several bilateral meetings, including those with Biden and the US Cabinet secretaries and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.
The two leaders further resolved to expand cooperation on environmental protection, including enhanced domain awareness, marine conservation and protecting coastal areas from environmental degradation.
The DENR and the US Environmental Protection Agency committed to address the health and environmental risks associated with climate change and environmental degradation to apply established best practices and new technologies to address methane reduction, food waste, marine plastic litter, water quality and environmental justice.
The Philippines and the US would adopt a ridge-to-reef approach on environmental protection, collaborate for sustainable fisheries and marine conservation, combat the illegal lumber and wildlife trade, advance ecosystem-based adaptation, rehabilitate valuable wetlands and promote good governance in the mining sector.
The countries would collaborate on the use of space-based technology in the areas of disaster management and emergency response, healthcare, mapping of resources and accessibility, pollution monitoring, deforestation, land use and infrastructure planning, and maritime awareness.
Both vowed to enhance cooperation on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Landsat Program, including the possibility for the Philippines to download images directly from Landsat satellites to its ground stations.
Loyzaga said these would support the DENR’s direction of using and developing space science and technology application to support the development of strategies for a science-based, and risk-informed plans, programs and policies.
Under Loyzaga’s leadership, the DENR has institutionalized partnerships with space agencies, including the Philippine Space Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US, and has established the Department’s first Geospatial Database Office.
