ADB launches $3M project to protect wetlands

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched the Philippines Flyway Project, a new initiative aimed at conserving critical wetland ecosystems that support both migratory bird habitats and local livelihoods across the country.

Funded by a $3-million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project was unveiled during the 12th Meeting of Partners of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership, hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Manila.

The program seeks to protect and sustainably manage wetlands that serve as vital stopovers for migratory birds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). It also aims to enhance biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable income opportunities for surrounding communities.

“Wetlands in our region face mounting threats from reclamation, degradation, and urban expansion, and the EAAF is considered the most threatened of the world’s major flyways,” said ADB Vice-President Scott Morris. “Through the Philippines Flyway Project, ADB and DENR are working together to protect, manage, and restore these critical ecosystems—helping communities and nature thrive.”

The project will be implemented by the DENR and will focus on three priority sites: the Candaba Wetlands in Luzon, and Lake Mainit and Sibugay Wetlands in Mindanao. It will include habitat restoration, improved management plans, and capacity-building programs that integrate conservation with local economic development.

Part of ADB’s broader Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI), the project contributes to a $3-billion regional effort launched in 2021 to protect key wetlands across 11 developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

More than 20 migratory waterbird species rely on Philippine wetlands for refuge, including sites recognized internationally such as Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the country’s 10 Ramsar-listed wetlands.

Beyond ecological preservation, the RFI promotes nature-based solutions that enhance community resilience against climate-related disasters — a growing concern amid stronger and more frequent typhoons in the Philippines.

Founded in 1966, ADB continues to position itself as a leading multilateral institution driving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific, supporting nations like the Philippines through innovation and environmental stewardship.