To mark World Wildlife Day 2025 on 3 March, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the United Nations Development Programme through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (DENR-UNDP BIOFIN), and other partners are strengthening efforts to integrate biodiversity solutions into both public and private sectors.

This year's theme is Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and the Planet.

In recognition of the Philippines' exceptional biodiversity, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is releasing new polymer banknotes in 2025, featuring not only the iconic Philippine Eagle but also lesser-known species like the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Visayan Leopard Cat, Visayan Spotted Deer and native flora such as the Sampaguita and Lanutan.

The Philippines is home to over 50,000 plant and animal species, many of which are endemic. In addition to well-known species like the Tamaraw, the country is rich in unique wildlife — from blind cave fish to colorful snakes and lizards.

To raise awareness and fund conservation, BIOFIN launched Animal Town, a mobile app where players can build a town of cute animals. Since its launch in March 2024, the app has been downloaded over 20,000 times and has raised over $400.

BIOFIN is also driving environmental solutions in the public sector. In January, BIOFIN, the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau and the Department of the Interior and Local Government led a workshop for the provincial governments of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental on integrating biodiversity indicators into the Seal of Good Local Governance.

This 2023 expansion of the SGLG now includes maintaining public parks, managing wetlands, and could soon address wildlife conservation and forest land-use planning, increasing local biodiversity financing.

BIOFIN’s work with the Negros Island Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has led to increased LGU budgets for wildlife protection. Local biodiversity finance plans have helped LGUs determine funding needs for conservation projects and secure additional resources.

BIOFIN is also collaborating with the private sector to promote nature-related financial disclosures, aiming to integrate environmental considerations into financial decisions. Additionally, it is exploring a "biodiversity credit" mechanism to incentivize biodiversity enhancements.

As part of a global initiative active in 41 countries, BIOFIN is working with the DENR to close the financing gap for the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. This includes improving biodiversity expenditure reports, supporting policies and increasing investments in protected areas.

In the past year, BIOFIN has helped boost LGU budgets for biodiversity conservation, proposed new environmental fee systems for protected areas, and pushed for policies to drive biodiversity financing and reduce carbon emissions.

“There are countless ways to integrate biodiversity solutions into government and private sector initiatives,” Plantilla concluded. “The work continues.”

BIOFIN's efforts in the Philippines are expected to conclude in 2027, pending the identification of new funding sources.