The UN-REDD Philippines Programme issues this statement to clarify that it is not involved nor does it support the initiative of Carbon Central Network (CCN) called the Manobo Corridor Carbon Project. REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. In a CCN Press Release, dated 16 November 2011, the company announces “a joint venture with indigenous land owners to work on validation, verification and issuance of REDD carbon credits under the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) standards.” The statement further claimed that the project is collaboratingwith and supported by three UN agencies –the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The UN-REDD Philippines Programme, together with its donors – FAO, UNDP, UNEP, and its implementing partner, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), clarifies that it is not in any way involved in the Manobo Corridor REDD Project. Instead, the Programme is currently focusing on implementing actions contributing to the country’s REDD+ readiness. It has not, in any form, been involved in actual carbon trading with any organizations or
communities in the Philippines.

The UN-REDD Philippines Programme also works closely with local civil society organizations like CoDe REDD, local community-based organizations, indigenous communities, concerned government units and line agencies, and other donor agencies in laying down the building blocks that will set the stage for the implementation of REDD+ in the country. The Philippine Programme’s overall goal is to increase the “capacity of forestland, protected areas and ancestral
domains managers and support groups to implement REDD+ projects and activities.” This initiative is a part of a comprehensive process through which the Philippines will become REDD+ ready.

Together with our partners, the UN-REDD Philippines Programme calls on the Government of the Philippines and its concerned agencies to look into the Manobo Corridor Carbon Project to understand the circumstances that led to the development and implementation of the said project. We also call on the Government to study its direct and indirect impacts on the well being of the Manobo Tribe to generate valuable lessons for the country as it prepares for REDD+.