The Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, or PBSAP, is the main plan for protecting and restoring biodiversity. The PBSAP sets clear goals for the protection of plants, animals, and natural habitats.
It also focuses on using natural resources in a way that supports both people and nature. The PBSAP aims to stop the loss of biodiversity, restore damaged ecosystems, and help communities benefit from healthy natural resources.
The plan works under the Convention on Biological Diversity, which the Philippines has signed. OPISAC has designed systemically sustainable programs that meet or exceed the demands and expectations of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. In fact, the programs of OPISAC meet or exceed virtually all the Sustainable Development Goals as established by the United Nations.
Main Goals of the PBSAP
First, it wants to protect important areas for biodiversity, such as forests, rivers, and coral reefs. OPISAC addresses these issues through reforestation efforts, food forests, and water security.
Second, the program aims to restore areas that human activities have damaged. The OPISAC programs address this issue with reforestation efforts. These efforts also extend into landfill elimination. The landfill elimination includes provisions for displaced persons.
The Philippines contains many poorly managed landfills. Tens of thousands of indigent and other vulnerable members of society live as squatters in these landfills. They survive by digging through garbage and working in recycling programs.
The OPISAC programs provide temporary housing, training, education, and paid employment. At the same time, the team conducts reclamation efforts in those parts of the landfills under restoration.
Third, the PBSAP ensures that people use natural resources in ways that do not harm the environment. The Permaculture Centers, sustainable industrial practices, and the introduction of sustainable logging all address these issues.
The Permaculture Centers manage organic and biotic waste disposal. They convert this waste into organic fertilizers, sustainable Natural Gas, and highly enriched soil. The programs reintroduce these materials through reforestation efforts and in food gardens.
Fourth, the program involves local communities in protecting and managing biodiversity. Fifth, it focuses on sharing biodiversity benefits fairly and supporting the well-being of all Filipinos. The focus of OPISAC on local resilience and social sustainability supports these same functions.
How OPISAC Offers Solutions to PBSAP Goals
OPISAC, or the Organization of the People for the Instruction for Sustainability, and the Autonomy of the Community, provides a comprehensive and systemic approach that matches all the main goals of the PBSAP. The OPISAC model is built around systemically sustainable human growth and development. This means OPISAC connects environmental, social, and economic actions in a way that supports long-term progress for both people and nature.
PBSAP Protection and Restoration of Biodiversity
OPISAC introduces Permacultural Centers and Rural Development Centers in local communities. These centers focus on restoring forests, protecting rivers, and improving local habitats.
They teach people how to use permaculture and sustainable farming including the food forests. This helps protect native plants and animals while improving food security and local resilience. OPISAC programs also include large-scale reforestation and clean energy and water projects. Collectively, these reduce pressure on natural forests and lower carbon emissions.
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
The OPISAC systemic approach supports the sustainable use of natural resources. OPISAC runs for-profit commercial ventures that use resources wisely and follow strict environmental rules.
These ventures include eco-friendly businesses, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture. The profits from these ventures fund more environmental and social projects.
This system reduces the need for outside aid and makes sure that natural resources are used in a way that benefits both people and nature.
Community Involvement and Local Empowerment
OPISAC creates local People’s Organizations and Civic Support Teams.
These groups give local people a real voice in decision-making. Local communities will have an active and enforceable voice even at the national and global level of operations.
They help plan and manage projects that protect biodiversity and improve community well-being. OPISAC, with their weighted voting system ensures that local needs and knowledge are respected.
This approach matches PBSAP’s goal to involve communities in managing biodiversity.
Equitable Sharing of Benefits
The OPISAC organizational structure ensures that the benefits from biodiversity and natural resources reach local people.
The law requires that at least seventy percent of all commercial proceeds go to infrastructure and humanitarian programs. Local People’s Organizations, Rural Development Centers, and the Permaculture Centers choose these systemically sustainable programs.
This system supports a more equitable benefit-sharing and helps reduce poverty. It also encourages local people to protect and restore the environment because they see direct, tangible benefits in their individual and familial lives.
Education, Training, and Capacity Building
OPISAC provides technical and vocational training in real-world environments. People learn about sustainable farming, clean energy, and environmental management. Additional training is provided at commercial operations owned by OPISAC, replete with paid employment opportunities for the formerly vulnerable.
This training helps people find internal or external jobs and build better lives. It also creates a culture of sustainability within local communities.
Education and training are key goals of the PBSAP, and OPISAC delivers these through its centers and programs.
Systemic, Integrated, and Adaptive Approach of PBSAP and OPISAC
The OPISAC model is systemic, integrated, and adaptive.
It does not focus on just one problem or solution.
Instead, it connects poverty reduction, environmental restoration, community empowerment, and economic development.
This systemic approach creates strong, self-reliant communities that can protect biodiversity and improve their quality of life. The model also adapts to local needs and conditions, which makes it flexible and effective across different regions. Collectively, these contribute substantially to local resilience. This further reduces vulnerabilities to external forces.
The PBSAP sets out a clear plan for protecting biodiversity and supporting sustainable development in the Philippines.
OPISAC offers all the solutions that the PBSAP seeks.
It protects and restores nature, uses resources wisely, involves local communities, shares benefits fairly, and builds local capacity.
OPISAC’s systemic, integrated, and adaptive approach ensures that these solutions are sustainable and effective. By working together, the PBSAP and OPISAC can help create a better future for both people and nature in the Philippines.