With presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda getting to be progressively developed, the observance of International Biodiversity Day last May 22 offered a timely reminder of the need for and importance of effectively managing the country’s natural wealth. Few places in the world are as rich in biodiversity as the Philippines, which is considered one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries. The country is known to harbor more diversity of life per hectare than any other country in the world. This immense natural wealth—and this is a remarkable asset—however, faces significant risk. Over exploitation and unsustainable practices, encroachment on forested areas, pollution, over-fishing, poor land management, and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are contributing significantly to an alarming rate of biodiversity loss.

Mitra, T. (2016, May 25). Investing in biodiversity is investing in our future. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A13.