Krylle: With about 75 percent of the world's biodiversity, the Philippines is considered a megadiverse

country. However, in recent years, the country has encountered significant problems in terms of
biodiversity protection, conservation, and development. Despite the abundance of fresh discoveries, the
country is considered a biodiversity hotspot and a top global conservation region. This means that a vast
number of Philippine plant and wildlife species are rapidly disappearing due to habitat degradation,
human activity, and climate change, among other factors.

Ileen: The continuing degradation of ecosystems and habitats that support and give shelter for the
country's biodiversity is a major concern. Since the 1990s, the Philippines has lost about 93 percent of its
native forest cover. Similarly, marine and inland water biodiversity are declining, as seen by the poor
quality of water and fish in Laguna de Bay, the Philippines' largest lake.

Krylle: One of the reasons for declining biodiversity is habitat loss, which can be ascribed to a number of
issues mentioned in the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP). Forest deterioration,
unsustainable mineral extraction, and human activities and habits are just a few examples. Forest
degradation is linked to irresponsible logging and deforestation, as well as competing land uses.

Ileen: In addition, as the country's population grows, forest areas are converted to residential and/or
agricultural land. Meanwhile, pollution and fishing operations present huge threats to marine and inland
water biodiversity.

Krylle: Invasive alien species, climate change-related degradation, over-exploitation, biopiracy,

insufficient enforcement and management, and undervaluation of the country's natural resources are
among the other threats to biodiversity mentioned.

Ileen: Clearly, the country has an issue with access and benefit sharing. The country's existing legislation
does not provide a long-term and effective framework for tracking and monitoring the use of genetic
resources. It also falls short of regulating the stages of innovation, pre-commercialization, and
commercialization. In addition, investigations and investments in the further discovery and/or
evaluation of these resources and their potentials are lacking in the country.

With about 75 percent of the world's biodiversity, the Philippines is considered a megadiverse country.
However, in recent years, the country has encountered significant problems in terms of biodiversity
protection, conservation, and development. Despite the abundance of fresh discoveries, the country is
considered a biodiversity hotspot and a top global conservation region. This means that a vast number
of Philippine plant and wildlife species are rapidly disappearing due to habitat degradation, human
activity, and climate change, among other factors.

One of the reasons for declining biodiversity is habitat loss, which can be ascribed to a number of issues
mentioned in the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP). Forest deterioration,
unsustainable mineral extraction, and human activities and habits are just a few examples. Forest
degradation is linked to irresponsible logging and deforestation, as well as competing land uses.

Invasive alien species, climate change-related degradation, over-exploitation, biopiracy, insufficient

enforcement and management, and undervaluation of the country's natural resources are among the
other threats to biodiversity mentioned.