ASSESSMENT AND UPDATING OF THE PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN (PBSAP)
IN LINE WITH THE KUNMING MONTREAL GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK (KMGBF)
Regional Consultation – Northern Luzon Cluster, 6 – 8 February 2024, Angeles, Pampanga
Submission by: Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) as member of the Regional Advisory Council of the Foundation for Philippine Environment
Protected areas in seascapes and landscapes including inland wetlands and other potential areas for conservation: Balbalasang – Balbalan National Park
Area covered in hectares and Geographic Location
The Balbalasang – Balbalan National Park is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) spanning 81,538 hectares in eight (8) municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, and Lubuagan in Kalinga; Malibcong, Daguioman, Boliney, and Tubo in Abra; and Sadanga in the Mountain Province.
Only a portion of the KBA – 21,568 hectares – is protected under Republic Act 11688, approved in 2022 that is declared as the Banao Protected Landscape. It is an extension of the 1,338 hectares set apart in 1974 by Presidential Proclamation 1357 as the Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park.
The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources is seeking legislation that will also protect other portions of the KBA, such as that which lies within the municipality of Pasil.
Threats to Biodiversity of the Balbalasang – Balbalan National Park
A. Approved Hydroelectric and Geothermal Projects Within the Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park Awarded by the DOE as of December 2023 (https://www.doe.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/renewable_energy/awarded_wind_2023-12-31.pdf)
| Awarded Hydropower Project | Location | Awardee | Potential Capacity(MW) |
| Mabaca 2 | Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga | JBD Water Power | 45 |
| Saltan D | Balbalan, Kalinga | JBD Water Power | 49 |
| Saltan E | Pinukpok, Kalinga | JBD Water Power | 45 |
| Buaya | Balbalan, Kalinga | JBD Water Power | 40 |
| Lower Pasil | Pasil, Kalinga | Markham | 30 |
| Pasil B | Pasil, Kalinga | I-Magat | 15.68 |
| Pasil C | Pasil, Kalinga | I-Magat | 9.75 |
| Pasil 3 | Pasil, Kalinga | Markham | 10 |
| Pasil 4 | Pasil, Kalinga | Markham | 12 |
| Awarded Geothermal Project | |||
| Kalinga Geothermal Project | Lubugan, Pasil, Tinglayan, Kalinga | Aragorn Power | no data |
B. Awarded Wind Power within the Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park by the Department of Energy as of December 2023
Abra-Kalinga Wind Power Awarde to JBD Water Power Inc. with potential capacity of 200MW with illustration below:
C. Awarded Mining Corporation in Kalinga: Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog Copper-Gold Project (from the company website)
| Project Location | Barangay Balatoc, Pasil, Kalinga |
| Proponent Name | Makilala Mining Co. Inc. |
| Project Size | The mining operation will produce approximately 50 million tons of total ore over a 25- year mine life at an annual rate of 2.25 million tons of ore per year with the ability to double production at the appropriate time following initial development.
Metallic Mineral Ore Processing to produce copper concentrate which will have an initial capacity of 2.4 million tons of ore per year. |
| Project Area | Primary impact of 32 hectares with a secondary impact 448 hectares. |
Recommendations by CDPC
A. Together with representatives of indigenous communities, their elders and organizations and local government authorities review existing policy and management body towards alignment with the Convention on Biodiversity and the Kunming – Montreal Biodiversity Framework and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, among others.
B. Review all the approved hydropower, wind, geothermal and mining projects in relation to the rights and welfare of since time immemorial inhabitant Indigenous Peoples and in alignment with the principle, goal and targets detailed in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as quoted below:
GOAL B. Biodiversity is sustainably used and managed and nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, are valued, maintained and enhanced, with those currently in decline being restored, supporting the achievement of sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations by 2050.
Reducing threats to biodiversity
TARGET 1. Ensure that all areas are under participatory, integrated and biodiversity inclusive spatial planning and/or effective management processes addressing land- and sea-use change, to bring the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance, including ecosystems of high ecological integrity, close to zero by 2030, while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.