Community-based approaches: Private-community partnership
REGINA PAZ L. LOPEZ is the chairperson of one of the Philippines’ biggest non- government organizations, the ABS- CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. She initiated Bantay Bata163, the country’s first media-based hotline, which in 1997 became the United Nations Grand Awardee for Excellence besting 187countries. She spearheaded Bantay Kalikasan, for which she received the 1997 International Public Relations Award of Excellence for the Environment and Outstanding Manilans Award for the Environment, 2009. For the environment,
Ms. Lopez also initiated the rehabilitation of the highly polluted
and toxic Pasig River and its tributaries, which led to her appointment in 2010 by President Benigno S. Aquino as the Chairperson of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. She
also co-launched the “Save Palawan Movement” to protect the key biodiversity area from being ravaged by mining. Ms. Lopez has a Master’s Degree in Development Management and two honorary doctorate degrees.
The community-based tourism projects in partnership with ABS-CBN according to Ms. Gina Lopez, started to select and finance the projects based on their set criteria. It supports projects that will promote healthy environment through environmental protection, conservation and preservation of the remaining natural resources. Her team provides capacity development training to local community to run the projects and ensure the project sustainability.
Community-based tourism projects in various areas in the country were initiated with an aim to help the marginalized community in establishing their own community- based projects. One of the champion/pillar projects of ABS CBN is the Ugong Rock Community-Based Ecotourism Project that has raised the community’s level of awareness and skills in managing and protecting the environment. They now considered the rock formation as their natural investment that will generate income for them and thus they are protecting it.
With an aim to alleviate poverty by generating jobs and increased revenues for the entire barangay, the project started with as initial investment of PhP250,000.00 and was followed by another PhP800,000.00 as investment for a zipline. This was complemented by various livelihood activities such as sari-sari store, conferences/training venues, and spa, among others. Labor is the shared equity of the community.
Private-community partnership initiated by ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. therefore, in various regions of the country is a virtuous manifestation and a clear statement that many communities are getting out of poverty by taking care of the environment and working together for this country endowed with rich natural resources and beautiful and good hearted people.
Here is the presentation of Ms. Regina Paz Lopez:
