MANILA, Philippines — Citizens across the country could soon secure additional livelihood streams through environmental conservation initiatives such as tree planting, forest protection, and emission reduction efforts, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announced.
According to Recto, Executive Order No. 127 establishes a national carbon market framework designed to empower local communities, farmers, and businesses to generate and trade carbon credits from eligible green projects.
Participants engaged in activities like reforestation and conservation can capture carbon dioxide and monetize those contributions by selling credits to corporations seeking to meet their climate goals.
”Sa madaling salita, puwedeng kumita mula sa pagtatanim at pag-aalaga ng mga puno, paggamit ng malinis na enerhiya, at iba pang gawaing nakatutulong sa kalikasan,” Recto said.
“Bibigyan ka ng carbon credits sa bawat aktibidad na napatunayang nakabawas sa greenhouse gases, na puwedeng ibenta,” he added, noting that projects must strictly comply with official government standards and undergo rigorous verification.
The policy is anticipated to stimulate green investments in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and waste management, creating numerous rural employment opportunities.
“Ang gusto ng Pangulo, habang inaalagaan natin ang kalikasan, may dagdag na kita rin ang ating mga kababayan. Hindi lang malinis na hangin at mas luntiang kapaligiran ang pakinabang. Maaari rin itong magdala ng trabaho, negosyo, at bagong oportunidad sa mga komunidad,” Recto emphasized.
“We’re hitting two birds with one stone. The President wants to protect the environment while helping people earn more,” he further stated.
Revenue generated from carbon credit transactions can additionally finance essential climate resilience projects, including fortified infrastructure and improved water systems.
Under the newly signed EO, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will draft the implementing guidelines covering project eligibility, measurement, and benefit-sharing, alongside establishing the Philippine National Carbon Registry to prevent double-counting.
An inter-agency committee led by the Climate Change Commission and co-chaired by the Department of Finance will supervise the framework’s overall rollout.