PFEC Holds its 16th National Environmental Congress

Manila, Philippines, November 16, 2011 – In celebration of the International Year of the Forest, the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern (PFEC) in cooperation with the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) and Kerk in Actie, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), held its 16th PFEC National Environmental Congress with the theme, “People for the Forests, Forests for the Future: Evolving Trends, Maximizing Opportunities.” The congress took place on November 17-19, 2011 at Hotel Stotsenberg, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

This year’s congress focused on key players and actors on forest related issues from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Delegates from the three major islands are PFEC’s partners from People’s Organizations (POs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non- Government Organizations (NGOs), Academe and Local Government Units (LGUs). Through this congress, local and national issues on forestry and forest management were extensively deliberated. Considering the diversity of its delegates, the congress provided a dynamic, pro-active and challenging arena for exchanges of diverse opinions and multidisciplinary perspectives on sustainable management of our country’s forest resources. 

PFEC’s National Environmental Congress which started in 1979 is an advocacy conference that brings together different environmental advocates, groups and individuals from different sectors all over the country. PFEC hopes that this congress will have a ripple effect in catalyzing and mobilizing the nation towards protection, conservation, rehabilitation and development of Philippine forests to address biodiversity, watershed protection and climate change concerns.