The UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM) co-organized the learning event “Ecosystem Accounting Training” together with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Economy and Environment Group Philippines (EEG) on April 24-29.
Held at the Summit Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay City, Cavite, the training gathered 30 researchers from various state universities and colleges, research and development institutions, and regional government agencies who conduct resource valuation and natural resources management as part of their research agenda.
The training was held to strengthen the competencies of researchers on ecosystem accounting, specifically to develop the participants’ knowledge and skills in applying economic valuation approaches in various ecosystems, provide hands-on experience in using these economic valuation approaches through workshops, and capacitate the participants in developing ecosystem accounting-related research proposals.
In a video message, Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, director of the Socio-Economics Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD, said that the training program was conducted to recognize ecosystem accounting as an essential tool in measuring and valuing natural resources.
Dr. Brown said that DOST-PCAARRD believes that understanding valuation is crucial to the better management and sustainable use of these resources.
According to him, PCAARRD has already funded several ecosystem valuation and accounting projects. He expressed his hopes that the training program would be able to create a network of researchers who will implement future ecosystem accounting projects.
In his welcome message, Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, UPLB-INREM chair, pointed out that while there has been an explosion of interest in ecosystems and the services they provide after the publication of the seminal work on Millennium Ecosystem Assessment almost two decades ago, ecosystems are still currently under siege.
Dr. Pulhin further said that ecosystem accounting represents a significant advancement in capturing the value of ecosystems and ecosystem services to sustainably manage these ecosystems for human well-being. He challenged the participants to become champions of ecosystem accounting in their respective institutions.
Dr. Juan M. Pulhin delivers his welcome remarks and challenges the training participants to become champions of ecosystem accounting in their own institutions. Photo courtesy of DOST-PCAARRD
The training program was organized into six modules consisting of lectures followed by workshop sessions. Module 1, Development and History of Ecosystem Accounting featured a lecture by Dr. Marian delos Angeles, consultant at the Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc., followed by a review of proposals on ecosystem accounting facilitated by Dr. Gem B. Castillo, national director of EEG.
Dr. Castillo also served as the resource person for Module 2, Ecosystem Services Assessment and Module 3, Accounting for Ecosystem Extent, Condition, Ecosystem Services, and Ecosystem Asset.
Dr. Canesio D. Predo, professor at the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources of UPLB, delivered the main lecture for Module 4, Spatial Analysis Tools for Ecosystem Accounting, while Module 5 was a lecture by Dr. Asa Jose U. Sajise on Valuation and Monetary Ecosystem Services Accounting. Sajise is a professor at the Department of Economics, College of Economics and Management of UPLB.
Lastly, Module 6, Applications of Ecosystem Accounting, featured a lecture by Dr. Castillo and a group presentation of the participants’ final proposals. These proposals may be further refined and submitted to DOST-PCAARRD for possible funding.
Dr. Canesio D. Predo discusses the different spatial tools that can be used in ecosystem accounting, including QGIS, InVEST, ARIES for SEEA Explorer. Photo courtesy of DOST-PCAARRD
Dr. Asa Jose U. Sajise delivers a lecture on the various economic valuation approaches used in ecosystem accounting. Photo courtesy of DOST-PCAARRD
At the end of the training, two special awards were given to the team that delivered the best presentation and crafted the best proposal. Mindoro State University took home both awards with their proposal, “The Economic Value of Pola Bay, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines.” Pola Bay is one of the areas gravely affected by the oil spill caused by the sinking of the MT Princess Empress in February 2023.
During their testimonials, participants shared their commitment to applying what they have learned to their work, especially regarding instruction, research, and extension. They also expressed their desire to engage in a “sequel training” on data analysis and interpretation in case their proposals are approved for funding.
Among the DOST-PCAARRD-supported projects on ecosystem accounting is the “Natural Capital Accounting of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea Project,” currently being implemented by the UPLB-INREM under the joint leadership of Dr. Predo and Dr. Sajise. This project is part of the three-year program, “Resource Inventory, Valuation and Policy in Ecosystem Services under Threat (RE-INVEST): The Case of the West Philippine Sea,” which will be implemented until March 31, 2025 (Christian Ray C. Buendia and Farah Y. Sevilla; first published on https://uplb.edu.ph).