Seal of Good Local Governance Expands Focus on Biodiversity and Environmental Protection

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As climate change accelerates, its effects are becoming increasingly evident in the Philippines. The summer of 2024 brought scorching temperatures, with Metro Manila experiencing a sweltering 45° Celsius heat index in April, as the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year ever recorded globally. With predictions pointing to another hot year in 2025, local governments must find ways to protect their citizens and the environment. One such initiative, the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), is now evolving to include stronger environmental protections, marking a significant step in the country's commitment to climate resilience.

The SGLG, which has been awarded annually by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) since 2014, recognizes Local Government Units (LGUs) that meet quality standards across ten governance aspects, including sustainable budgeting, social protection, and environmental management. The SGLG’s core goal is to encourage continuous improvements in governance, and this year, it is taking a big step forward with new provisions aimed at strengthening environmental safeguards across all LGUs in the Philippines.

Strengthening Environmental Governance in the Face of Climate Change

As Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo of Dumaguete City points out, LGUs play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of natural calamities, including the stronger storms and droughts brought on by climate change. To ensure that cities and municipalities are better equipped to handle these challenges, the SGLG’s environmental management section has expanded to include provisions focused on protecting local green spaces, wetlands, and ecosystems.

The new focus of the SGLG includes requirements for the establishment and maintenance of public parks and green spaces, alongside the sustainable management of vital wetland ecosystems such as coasts, rivers, and lakes. These provisions are designed to make LGUs active stewards of the natural environment, helping to absorb carbon dioxide, reduce urban heat, and enhance biodiversity. With the Philippines’ cities experiencing rising temperatures, preserving these natural spaces has never been more urgent.

UNDP BIOFIN and Key Stakeholders Lead the Charge

The United Nations Development Programme's Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN) has been at the forefront of this effort, working with the DILG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mainstream biodiversity conservation in local governance since 2019. A major focus of the initiative is to close the funding gap for biodiversity conservation projects by integrating environmental management into LGUs' development plans and encouraging investments in green infrastructure.

From January 23-28, 2025, stakeholders from the DENR, UNDP-BIOFIN, DILG, and LGUs across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor will participate in workshops to further discuss how to integrate environmental safeguards into the SGLG. These workshops aim to provide LGUs with the tools and resources needed to meet the new environmental standards. Participants will also learn about the potential for securing financial support for biodiversity projects through a special budgetary allotment for LGUs that meet the new SGLG criteria.

The Path to Greater Financial Investment in Biodiversity

Anabelle Plantilla, UNDP-BIOFIN Philippines National Project Manager, highlights that the workshops will focus on helping LGUs comply with the SGLG’s new biodiversity requirements. "We hope these workshops will allow every LGU in the country to meet SGLG standards, greatly enhancing their capacity to protect their respective natural resources,” she says. "As a bonus, LGUs that meet the new SGLG standards will be rewarded with a special budgetary allotment."

These efforts are part of a larger strategy to ensure that biodiversity conservation is properly funded and integrated into both local and national development plans. Through campaigns like the Year of the Protected Areas and advocacy for increased congressional financing, UNDP-BIOFIN has successfully helped raise over USD 84 million for the protection of 107 Legislated Philippine Protected Areas.

A Commitment to Sustainable Development

The Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), which was adopted by the DENR in 2016, laid the groundwork for many of the initiatives that are now being integrated into local governance. While PBSAP faced challenges in securing adequate funding, it has successfully pushed for the mainstreaming of biodiversity into the development programs of national agencies, local governments, and the private sector.

As Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, Executive Director of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc., puts it, “These SGLG learning workshops are a welcome development for our LGUs. We hope they will enhance the LGUs' understanding of the unique biodiversity of Negros and our other regions.” She emphasizes that these efforts will help local governments develop programs that make cities and towns more resilient to the ever-growing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

Looking Ahead: A Greener, More Resilient Future

With the expansion of the SGLG to include environmental protection measures and the increased focus on biodiversity, the Philippines is setting an example for other nations. The country is taking steps to ensure that local governance plays an active role in addressing climate change, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainability. As LGUs across the country rise to meet these new standards, they will be better equipped to protect their natural resources and foster more resilient communities.

In a year when climate change effects are increasingly visible, the push for stronger environmental safeguards is more crucial than ever. The efforts of the DILG, DENR, UNDP-BIOFIN, and local governments are laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future, one where communities are equipped to thrive despite the challenges of a warming world.

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