BACKGROUND

The Philippines faces the challenge of food and economic insecurity due to the covid-19 pandemic while considered the most vulnerable country in the world facing multiple climates and natural hazards (Global Peace Index, 2019). Typhoon Vamco/Ulysses which hit the country recently has estimated crop damage of PHP 2.53 billion (DA, 2020). Prior to this disaster, there were 7.6 million families experiencing hunger. Almost half of Filipinos are unemployed since the pandemic began in March 2020 (SWS, 2020). Local farmers’ income has dropped to as low as PHP 7.00 or EUR 0.12 a day (FFF 2020). The government expects the country’s agriculture sector to play a major role in pursuing a socio-economic response framework to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. However, with the recent typhoons and flooding, this sector is now suffering from billions of losses and damages. 

As a response to the realities above, The Round Table is a series of conversations and exchanges between Philippine and Dutch specialists on designing regenerative systems. It is an inquiry on how we can design our approach through a shift from sustainable to regenerative solutions to meet the changes the country is facing today and the uncertain future to come. 

The following themes will be covered by the series from December 2020 to 2021: Regenerative Ecosystems, Regenerative Agriculture, and Regenerative Economies.  Each panel will be representing solutions coming from the experiences and perspectives of governments, civil society, and businesses. 

PART 1: December 3, 2020, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Regenerative Ecosystems for Climate Resilience and Pandemic Recovery 

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How might we enable climate-resilient ecosystems to address our climate vulnerability while meeting our needs

for food security and economic recovery from the pandemic? 

This webinar is a response to the recent typhoons and floods that have hit the Philippines recently with severe loss and damages to people and habitats. It is an invitation to explore how we can work with ecosystem-based mitigation and adaptation approaches from the ridge to the reef to reduce further disaster risks as the country continues to face growing climate vulnerability while coping with the covid-19 pandemic. 

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Program Flow

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Opening Remarks

3:00-3:10 pm GMT+8 | 8:00-8:10 am CET

Ricardo L. Calderon

OIC, Assistant Secretary for Climate Change, Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines

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Saskia de Lang

Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands to the Philippines 

Enabling Large Scale

Climate-Resilient Ecosystems

3:10 - 4:00 PM GMT+8 | 8:10-9:00 AM CET

Rodel Lasco, PhD 

Executive Director, Oscar Lopez Center

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Willem Ferwerda

CEO, Commonland

Pandemic and Climate Solutions  through Biodiversity Conservation

4:00 - 5:00 PM GMT + 8 | 9:00- 10:00 AM CET

Atty. Ipat Luna

Environmental Lawyer and Consultant, Office of the Deputy Secretary Loren Legarda 

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Annadel Cabanban

Country Representative (Philippines), Wetlands International

Closing Remarks 

5:00-5:10 pm GMT + 8 | 10:00-10:10 am CET

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda

Commissioner, Global Commission on Adaptation and Representative for the District of Antique

Moderators

Atty. Paula Aberasturi

Environmental Consultant, and Proprietor of Down to Earth Farms 

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Sarah Queblatin

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Green Releaf Initiative 

Speed Networking 

5:10-6 pm GMT +8 | 10:10-11 am CET

Food Gardens Movement

The networking session aims to bring together participants from various sectors from government, NGOs, academe and businesses who may have an interest in the topics presented to connect, share insights, and exchange information. 

Organizers

Partners

Co-Presenters

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