Developing pro-poor markets for environmental services in the Philippines

This study reviews the various initiatives in the Philippines to develop markets for different types of environmental service, and also discusses the institutional support mechanisms that have emerged. It identifies a number of market initiatives already in operation, mostly in the form of entrance fees to national parks, but shows that for other types of environmental service, much preparatory work for market development has been done, including valuation studies and proposals for payment mechanisms. Government involvement has been key to market development in the Philippines but there have also been some community based initiatives. The study tests a framework for evaluating and monitoring markets for environmental services in two cases: a protected area and a Department of Energy reforestation and environmental management fund. The conclusion drawn is that environmental investments are unlikely to be made unless the basic social needs of communities are met.