School : Bicol University Graduate School
Course : Master in Entrepreneurship
Name of Student : Aladin M. Armillo
Subject : Organizational Development and Change
Professor : Fr. Jovic Lobrigo

Reflection Paper on Biodiversity
The seminar on biodiversity was indeed refreshing and an eye opener to those silent and unaware of what is happening in our environment. It discussed what biodiversity is, why it is important, how to conserve and what people can do to maintain and ensure the constant provision of ecosystem services.
The earth is facing a menace on ecological imbalance. Natural disasters occur more frequently. Global warming is indeed a global issue which government of different countries has an undergoing study to mitigate and control this world challenge and problem.
Philippines is considered as one of the mega diverse country in the world. With more than 7,100 island, it has numerous living organisms, plants, and animals both land, salt and freshwater. The country is blessed with numbers of natural habitat, forests and mountains, islands and islets, coral reefs, coastal marines, lakes and other freshwater bodies. But Philippines of today can be considered as a biodiversity hotspot. National ecosystem is in the midst of destruction. Biodiversity conservation is a concern of every Filipino for many reasons.
Almost all of the needs of mankind are derived from biological resources such as food, shelter, clothing, water, and even medicines. Discoveries of medicines will be more feasible if we have richer biodiversity. Economical growth, healthier life, and we will have adaptive responses to natural challenge, natural calamities and to the world issue of global warming. Because of the destructions in our environment, different natural calamities occurrence is now more frequent and more destructive. In the Philippines alone for example, how many typhoons occur every year? Million pesos of properties, livelihood and lives that were ran and drowned by the flood. Floods that were not controlled already by flood control measures of the government. Floods which became more rush because there are already no trees to control.
Conservation of Philippines ecosystem and natural treasures is one of the major concerns that our national government has to deal with. Some species that can only be found in the Philippines is in danger of extinction already.
Bicol region is reach in biodiversity. It is the home of famous ecotourism sites such as Mount Mayon, the Bulusan Lake and Butanding in Sorsogon, Island of Caramoan in Camarines Sur and Cagraray Island in Albay. There are numerous beautiful beaches in Masbate and Catanduanes. The very long coastline and clean water has very high encouragement as habitat of whale shark (butanding), sea turtles, dolphins and other sea mammals. Bicol is the source of very high demand of fish in the country for having several fishing ground as Lagonoy Gulf, Albay Gulf, Ticao and Burias Pass.
Albay is the home of smallest fish in the world which is the “tabius” or pandaca pegmia. Aside from Camarines Sur, Albay is the most visited province in the region. Ecotourism is one of the flagships of Bicol why it reaches the peak of progress in local economy. But the province is like other province is facing environmental and ecological challenge. Destruction of marine life is expected as the effect of continuous mining in Rapu-Rapu. The existence of illegal fishing, trawl and commercial fishing causes for the decline catch fish for small fisher folks. There is also occurrence of flood in unidentified flood areas. But provincial government has dynamic undertakings to address this silent problem. In fact, the province is the pioneering local government in climate change mitigation and adaptation. No use of plastic policy is implemented throughout the province. To initiate and implement development programs to address poverty in the coastal and island communities. Aiming for a sustainable agriculture, coastal resource management, improvement of fishery, ecotourism and human capital to achieve the common goal called “development”.
The SEDP-Simbag sa Pag-Asenso Inc. supports this advocacy of Social Action Center. But the institution can do more in this undertaking. In our little ways we can act in line with our social mission, for socio-economic development and political empowerment for a comfortable and happy human well-being.