| Overview :
The Philippines has high biodiversity, being among the mega-diverse countries of the world. It has prolific and highly diverse marine and coastal resources which makes it the third highest in marine biodiversity in the world. For example, it hosts a total of 464 reef-building coral species or nearly half of all known coral species. The country also has 1700 reef species and 9% of the total known global coral reef area at 25,060 sq. km. Philippine marine fisheries produced a total fisheries volume of 5 million metric tons in 2009 valued at PhP 215.58 billion. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) estimates the fishing industry’s contribution to the country’s GDP at 2.2% (PhP 170.3 billion) and 4.4% (PhP63.2 billion) at current and constant prices, respectively. Marine mollusks have high medicinal value and the Philippines teems with them. It must be noted that marine organisms are the source of 60% of new anti-cancer agents currently on trial. Aside from this, they also hold potential for possible central nervous system, anti-microbial drugs and enzymes for cellulosic biofuels production. Philippine waters are estimated to harbor an estimated 10,000 species or approximately one fifth of all known species. The country’s marine waters are also widely regarded by marine biologists as the epicenter of marine biodiversity.
The Philippines is home to an estimated 53,500+ species of plants and animals. Recent reviews have recognized 105 species of amphibians (79% endemic) and 264 reptiles (68% endemic), while recent summaries of birds have recognized 593 species (32% endemic). Mammal diversity is currently estimated at 175 native terrestrial mammals (65% endemic). Total country estimates include as many as 15,000+ plants (and their relatives) and 38,000+ animals (vertebrates and invertebrates). These numbers are considered conservative considering that recent studies have shown that terrestrial biodiversity of the Philippines is substantially under estimated. The Philippines has one of the highest rates of species discovery in the world (sixteen new species of mammals have been discovered in the last ten years alone). New species are being discovered at a remarkable rate and this pattern shows no sign of slowing. Current taxonomic estimates show that the Philippines has the highest level of endemism in the Indo-Malayan Realm on a per unit-area basis and the highest concentration of biodiversity on earth .
However, “leakage” in revenue generation is happening from the environment sector through bio-piracy of the country’s genetic pool. As stated above, the Philippines’ marine waters alone hold untold economic potential for drugs and fuels. Marine sponges, mollusks and sea squirts, for instance, have been the subject of many biomedical studies as potential sources for anti-microbial and anti-cancer drugs. The recent study done by the UP Marine Science Institute in partnership with the Oregon Health and Science University, University of Utah, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia and Ocean Genome Legacy showed that marine mollusks found in the Philippines have unusual bacteria strains that have utility as drugs for central nervous system disorders, anti-cancer agents and anti-microbial treatments .
However, despite discoveries made by local scientists or the fact that some of these genetic materials, plants and biological resources have long been identified, developed and used by communities and indigenous peoples, many large corporations make huge profits from patenting these knowledge and biological materials without properly recognizing and rewarding the sources.
The examples above prove that Philippines has many more resources which if used wisely can generate wealth and would be more than enough to trigger economic development and alleviate poverty in the country. Continuing bio piracy might be happening unknowingly in the country since the current policies and capacities have failed to track and monitor progress made on researches related to genetic pool of the country. It in this context that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Foreign-Assisted and Special Service Office being the key agency in natural resource management, will spearhead the development of a national Programme that would tap the potential of the country’s diverse genetic resources for wealth creation and sustainable development The DENR-FASPO will closely cooperate with the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau and Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau in the preparation of the Programme Document (ProDoc).
The Programme's ultimate goal is "conserved biodiversity genetic pool generating significantly increased revenue towards poverty eradication & over-all wellbeing of Filipinos". Its target outcome by the end of the current Philippine Development Plan period, 2016, is a "fully functioning national biodiversity genetics research, value adding and benefit sharing system". The objectives are: The objectives are:
1. Toconsolidate and enhance the Philippines' research capacities on biodiversity genetic pool assessment, value adding, access and benefit sharing, etc...towards poverty eradication;
2. To establish a biodiversity genetic pool wealth creation system involving the national bureaucracy, key research institutions, concerned LGUs, partner civil society organizations; and
3. To establish a benefit sharing system from biodiversity primarily benefitting the poorest households and communities and keepers/stewards of the biodiversity genetic pools.
To assist the DENR, a pool of experts in the following fields will be engaged for the Project:
1. Policy and Capacity Analyst
2. Resource Economist
3. Genetic Resource Expert.
4. Biodiversity Genetics Access and Benefit Sharing Expert
A Lead Consultant will also be engaged to integrate the outputs of the above experts for the development of the Programme Document.
Responsibilities
The Lead Consultant shall have the following responsibilities:
1. Supervise the work of other national experts and institutions to ensure that outputs are delivered on time, on budget and to high quality standards;
2. Ensure horizontal contributions/review of the different experts outputs and reports;
3. Identify strategies for mobilizing resources and financing mechanisms/financing sources including but not limited to budget advocacy and sustainable financing schemes for effectively implementing the Bio-RICH Programme;
4. Recommend an appropriate outline and content of the report of the experts to facilitate review, consolidation and integration.
5. Lead the integration of the outputs of the experts and write the Programme Document with clarity and consistency;
6. Ensure coherence and logic of the programme design, including its results framework.
7. Ensure the sufficiency and quality of data or information collected and gathered by the team
8. Develop the indicative annual work plans and budget for the Project;
9. Propose the appropriate management arrangements for the Project to ensure efficiency and effective programme implementation;
10. Recommend and facilitate meetings/round table discussions/focus group discussions with appropriate individuals and/or organizations/agencies to obtain data that will contribute to the preparation of the Programme Document;
11. Provide FASPO regular feedback/update on the progress of the Consultancy work.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
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Deliverables/ Outputs
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Target Due Dates
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Review and Approvals Required (Indicate designation of person who will review output and confirm acceptance)
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Inception Report
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1 week after contract signing
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DENR and UNDP-CO
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Draft Programme Document reflecting initial analysis of the baseline information gathered by the various experts
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30 October
2014
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DENR and UNDP-CO
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Final Draft of the Programme Document following UNDP Project Document Template
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30 November 2014
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DENR and UNDP-CO
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Final version of the
Programme Document following UNDP Project Document Template
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30 December 2014
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DENR and UNDP-CO
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Institutional Arrangement
The Lead Consultant shall coordinate and work closely with the DENR and its relevant bureaus (BMB and ERDB) and UNDP to ensure that the project activities are undertaken and relevant and quality information are gathered. He/she shall also work with the other consultants dealing on this matter too.
The DENR-FASPO in coordination with the Focal Person of BMB and ERDBshall directly supervise the Lead Consultant his/her output shall be approved and accepted by the DENR FASPO with endorsement from BMB and ERDB;
The DENR-FASPO in coordination with BMB and ERDB shall provide administrative and logistical support particularly in convening meetings/round table discussions/focus group discussions and or in visiting sites.
Duration of the Work
The expected duration of work is estimated at 30 days spread over 4 months. The target date for the start of work is 01 August 2014 and the completion date is 30 December 2014.
Duty Station
The Lead Consultant is not expected to report on a daily basis to DENR nor to UNDP. S/he shall be notified within a reasonable period of time of pertinent meetings where his/her presence is necessary. All consultation venues will be chosen according to accessibility, availability of appropriate facilities and peace and order.
Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor
1. Master’s or PhD degree in ENR management or related fields;
2. With extensive knowledge and experience in resource economics and financing mechanisms/schemes for biodiversity conservation in the Philippines;
3. Familiar and up-to-date with national and local programs, projects and initiatives on biodiversity conservation and related areas and local governance;
4. Familiar with national and local policies relevant to bio-prospecting and/or access and benefit sharing, intellectual property rights, etc.;
5. Familiarity with relevant international laws/treaties such as TRIPs, Nagoya Protocol, UN CBD, and other bilateral trade agreements is an advantage;
6. Experience and proven expertise in areas of development specifically in biodiversity conservation, financing and resource mobilization;
7. Preferably with sufficient knowledge of UNDP and GEF and some level of familiarity with its operations;
8. Very good command of oral and written English;
9. Good in word processing, preferably Word, Excel, Power-point.
Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments
The financial proposals from possible candidates should be expressed in lump sum amount inclusive of all financial costs related to this engagement (i.e. transportation/travel to and from residence-Manila and/or within Metro Manila, supplies & materials, reproduction, communications including internet). However, travel costs (eg. fares and DSAs) to sites outside of Metro Manila shall be borne by DENR Project Funds. DSA rates will follow the UNDP-NIM prescribed rates.
The Payment terms are as follows:
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Percentage
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Description
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Deadline
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15%
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Inception Report
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1 week after contract signing
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25%
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Draft Programme Document reflecting initial analysis of the baseline information gathered by the various Bio-RICH experts
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End of Oct. 2014
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30%
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Final Draft of the Programme Document following UNDP Project Document Template
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End of Nov. 2014
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30%
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Final version of the Programme Document following UNDP Project Document Template
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End of Dec. 2014
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Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
The combined scoring method where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a maximum of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30% shall be adopted.
Please submit CV and financial proposal, using the template attached in this notice, on or before 26 August 2014.
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