News

5th PHE National Conference Pushes for the Integration of Population, Health, and Environment in Climate and Development Programming

Posted on May 22, 2014

Participants of the 5^th PHE National Conference.

Recognizing the urgency for an effective climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CCA-DRR) intervention and the need for a development strategy firmly anchored on the principles of population, health, and the environment, the PHE Network staged a three-day conference that gathered practitioners and advocates from the said fields representing civil society organizations, government agencies, local government units, and the academe across the Philippines from May 20 to 22, 2014 in Baguio City.

With the theme, “Mainstreaming PHE in CCA-DRR Towards the Attainment of Inclusive Growth,” the forum kicked off with a ceremonial pine tree planting in a community-managed watershed in Brgy. Apugan, Loakan on May 20, 2014. Throughout the event, experts discussed current trends related to the inclusive growth agenda of the national government, shared experiences of PHE-oriented programs and projects on CCA-DRR, and presented cases of the inclusive growth paradigm within the mainstreamed PHE programs and projects.

Pine trees native to Baguio City were used in the ceremonial tree planting activity in Brgy. Apugan, Baguio City. 

Mr. Aivan Herzano, FPE Project Officer, demonstrates the planting of pine trees.

Organized by the PHE Network and with support from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), the Population Commission (POPCOM), Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI), and the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), the conference was staged to bring PHE to the table as an integrated approach to address climate and development challenges in place of the current economics-centric indicator of the government’s development agenda. PHE is believed to be an expedient strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce risks to lives and livelihoods. Ultimately, it ensures a “healthy population living in a healthy environment.”

Mr. Napoleon Hernandez, FPOP National Council President, delivers a short message revisiting the formation of the PHE network to formally open the conference.

Mr. Nestor R. Carbonera, FPE Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (second from right), calls for partnership and collaboration with different stakeholders to create a community-level PHE model fundamental in upscaling PHE in local governance during the event’s press conference. Also among the panelists is FPE Vice Chairperson, Archt. Socorro B. Atega (leftmost). 

Since its inception in 2002, the PHE Network has expanded its membership base and scope of discourse. However, substantial integration of PHE initiatives in development programs and projects remains a crucial issue among its members as endeavors on population, health, and the environment of both civil society and the government remain autonomous and disconnected. 

The PHE Network is composed of FPE, FPOP, POPCOM, FSSI, Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, Path Foundation, Save the Children Foundation, Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Society of Safety Practitioners, Balay, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau. Binding these members is the passion for population, health, and environment aligned to the goals and objectives of each organization.