MUNTINLUPA CITY — With the recently concluded Congress on Sustainable and Climate Resilient Watershed Management through Ecosystem–Based Approaches in the Asia Pacific Region, organized by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI), the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy’s (MENRE) Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research, and Development Services (BERDS) mulls the adoption of nature-based solutions to address the degradation of watersheds and their ecosystems in the Bangsamoro region.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Division of BERDS is now also prioritizing the intensive assessments of target areas to inform policy-making and research studies.

The studies presented on the Congress realized the effectiveness of it in the protection, management, conservation, and rehabilitation of ecosystems.

This 2-day Congress held from October 24-25 at Crimson Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, aims to gather scientists, experts, and researchers from Asia–Pacific region and development partners to exchange ideas, research gaps and experiences in the management of watersheds in the Region using Nature–based Solutions. The event also features more than fifty oral and poster presentations on innovative solutions that merge sustainable practices with climate resilience based on the experiences of delegates from different countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Delegates from MENRE-BARMM were Director Mohamad Ali R. Dimaren, Chief Protected Area Management Division Joeffry L. Kamid, Chief Ecosystems Research and Development Division Annie D. Dumamba, and Focal Person of Protected Area Section Bairaiya U. Salipada.

This congress represents a significant step toward sustainable and climate-resilient watershed management in the Asia-Pacific region, with MENRE-BERDS taking a leading role in advancing nature-based solutions for the benefit of ecosystems and the environment.