| Overview : Project Description
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 DENR, being the key agency in natural resource management, will conduct a policy study and assessment of the current capacities of key stakeholders in developing and implementing a fair and equitable access and benefit sharing system and protocol. To assist the DENR, a policy and capacity analyst will be hired to conduct this policy study and capacity assessment.
Responsibilities
The following are the tasks and responsibilities to be performed by the Policy and Capacity Analyst:
1. Assess existing international and local policies relevant to Access and Benefit Sharing in the country including but not limited to bio-prospecting, intellectual property and traditional knowledge;
2. Analyze relevant bilateral trade agreements (eg. TRIPS and WTO), its provisions and flexibilities crucial to the adoption of the Nagoya protocol by the Philippine government;
3. Analyze national and local laws and regulations that are impacted or could assist in the process of adoption of the Nagoya protocol;
4. Identify provisions on Intellectual Property provisions within the Philippine bilateral trade agreements that shall impact management and use of sustainable biodiversity resources of the country;
5. Assess the capacity of key stakeholders in developing/implementing access and benefit sharing system; identify gaps and recommend capacity building interventions;
6. Identify policy and capacity gaps and recommend policy and capacity building interventions on access and benefit sharing as it relates to bilateral trade agreements and the Nagoya Protocol;
7. Recommend sustainable, relevant and appropriate ABS protocols;
8. Collaborate with other consultants and provide inputs to the Lead Integrator/Consultant specifically concerning policy development and capacity building on ABS.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
|
Deliverables/ Outputs
|
Target Due Dates
|
Review and Approvals Required (Indicate designation of person who will review output and confirm acceptance)
|
|
Inception Report
|
1 week after contract signing
|
DENR and UNDP-CO
|
|
The policy analysis report to include, but not limited to, relevant international and local policy analysis, a laundry list of options available for the Philippines to establish a sustainable ABS protocol
|
30 October 2014
|
DENR and UNDP-CO
|
|
ABS Capacity Assessment Report including but not limited to strategy on national capacity building to understand flexibilities available and their impacts over national biodiversity and true adaptation of a access and benefit sharing regime
|
30 November 2014
|
DENR and UNDP-CO
|
Institutional Arrangement
He/She 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 ERDB shall directly supervise the Policy and Capacity Analyst and 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 3 months. The target date for the start of work is 01 August 2014 and the completion date is 30 November 2014.
Duty Station
The Policy and Capacity Analyst 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
· A degree in political science, sociology, law or jurisprudence;
· At least 10 years of experience in the field of environmental policy review particularly dealing with biodiversity, intellectual property rights, access and benefit sharing, traditional knowledge
· Working experience with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector in the Philippines;
· Familiarity with national and local policies relevant to bio-prospecting and/or access and benefit sharing, intellectual property rights, etc.;
· Familiarity with relevant international laws/treaties such as TRIPs, Nagoya Protocol, UN CBD, and other bilateral trade agreements
· 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. DSA rates will follow the NIM prescribed rates.
Payment terms are as follows:
|
Percentage
|
Description
|
Deadline
|
|
20%
|
Inception Report
|
1st week after signing of contract
|
|
40%
|
The policy analysis report to include, but not limited to, relevant international and local policy analysis, a laundry list of options available for the Philippines to establish a sustainable ABS protocol;
|
30 October 2014
|
|
40%
|
ABS Capacity Assessment Report including but not limited to strategy on national capacity building to understand flexibilities available and their impacts over national biodiversity and true adaptation of a access and benefit sharing regime.
A results framework on key interventions for policy development and capacity building in the area of ABS.
|
30 November 2014
|
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 28 August 2014. | 
