On 23 January 2025, the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) facilitated a site visit and stakeholder consultations at the Paligui Wetlands and the Paligui Covered Court in Barangay Paligui, Candaba, Pampanga, as part of an Asian Development Bank (Regional ADB) mission related to the proposed Global Environment Facility (GEF) Philippine Flyway Project under the Flyway Initiatives.
The activity brought together representatives from the Asian Development Bank, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR–BMB), DENR–Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service, Provincial and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Pampanga, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III, the Department of Tourism Region III, Pampanga State Agricultural University, the Barangay Local Government Unit of Paligui, the Macagatal Irrigators’ Association, and local residents from various barangays in Candaba.
SCPW provided a briefing on the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project (LLBCP) and addressed questions from the ADB team during the initial discussion held at the Barangay Hall of Paligui. This was followed by a site visit to the Paligui Wetlands, where participants observed the project site and the ongoing construction of the Paligui Wetland Center. During the field visit, the ADB team also engaged in birdwatching activities to gain a better understanding of the site’s ecological conditions.
After the site visit, the participants reconvened at the Paligui Covered Court for a stakeholder workshop, where the ADB team presented an overview of the GEF Philippine Flyway Project and the objectives of the consultation. Discussions focused on the current condition of the Candaba Wetlands, existing and emerging threats, ongoing conservation and development initiatives, and opportunities for nature-based solutions, sustainable financing, improved governance, and enhanced wetland knowledge management. Inputs from local communities, including women, youth, and other vulnerable groups, were emphasized during the discussions.
Stakeholders highlighted the importance of the Candaba Wetlands as a habitat for endemic and migratory species, a provider of vital ecosystem services, a site for education and research, and a local tourism destination. Separate focus group discussions were conducted with women participants and community members to gather insights for a proposed Gender Action Plan and to identify conservation issues and possible solutions.
Following the consultation, SCPW conducted a separate meeting with the Macagatal Irrigators’ Association to discuss planned activities under the LLBCP for the first quarter of 2025. The ADB team expressed appreciation to SCPW for facilitating the site visit and stakeholder consultations and committed to keeping partners informed of the next steps in the development of the GEF proposal.
The site visit and stakeholder consultations marked an important step toward strengthening wetland conservation efforts in Candaba, as it fostered collaboration among government agencies, development partners, academic institutions, people’s organizations, and local communities. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the activity helped build a deeper and shared understanding of the ecological, social, and economic value of wetlands, laying the groundwork for more informed decision-making and more effective, inclusive, and sustainable conservation initiatives moving forward.
