Oliver Agoncillo

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures that FPE, as a leading environmental organization, carries out its vision and mission of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through partnerships and collaboration between and among national and local governments, local and international donors, CSOs and people’s organizations, academe, and the private sector as one of its strengths
• Provides overall direction on FPE’s day-to-day operations
• Leads in identifying and implementing strategies for resource mobilization, with the Chair/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and its Board of Trustees
• Supervises and manages the human resources, financial, investment, and administrative services of its national, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao offices, with at least 14 regular staff

Major accomplishments

• Directed a team of 14 staff, with 70 FPE’s experts advisory pool, and regional advisory groups all over the country to organize the first national-level consultation with CSOs on climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project Portfolio Development in March 2019
• In turn, this effectively leveraged technical and financial resources with the Climate Change Commission’s UNDP-funded GCF Readiness programme aimed to raise awareness of CSO initiatives on CCAM, and share opportunities for climate financing
• This partnership with GCF, UNDP, and CCC led to the conduct of 3 regional CSO consultations to bring down global CCAM discourse to the communities and to spotlight grassroots initiatives that could serve as models for scaling up
• This was also a learning experience for FPE—its Board, staff, experts, and regional groups to sharpen our biodiversity framework and approaches as key inputs to FPE’s CCAM portfolio management design
• Led in the successful competitive selection of FPE by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in 2018-19, for its endorsement of FPE to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as the first CSO nominee as a direct accredited entity (DAE) in the Philippines
• As DAE accreditation is underway, FPE has positioned itself to focus on ecosystem-based climate change adaptation and mitigation for the GCF
• Forged partnership in June 2021 with the Forest Foundation Philippines to set up a 4-year Php 30M joint program dedicated to the enhancement of capacities of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) for stronger forest governance and biodiversity conservation, including initiatives for women and the youth as part of leadership development (#StrongIPs4Forests&Biodiversity Program)
• Successfully led the FPE team to be competitively selected as the Implementing Partner of the UN Global Environment Facility (GEF) UNDP Small Grants Programme Phase 7 (SGP7), which is anticipated to be implemented in 2022
• FPE will be the first non-state entity/civil society organization (CSO) Implementing Partner of the GEF UNDP SGP7 of this 5-year USD$ 4.25M
• Finalized the design and directed the implementation of a successor generation initiative launched in March 2021, where FPE competitively gave grants to 55 youth groups across the country under the #Youth4Biodiversity Conservation Project after providing internally developed with experts online learning sessions on biodiversity conservation, including a session on Design Thinking
• Sustained CSO Leadership in the multisectoral GEF National Steering Committee (NSC) after successfully leading the negotiation with the Philippine Government to expand CSO representation in the GEF NSC from 3 to 5 CSO representatives in June 2019
• The NSC is in charge of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UN GEF-funded programmes in the Philippines
• Obtained Board approval to represent FPE (and CSOs) as member of the UNDP Biodiversity Financing Programme (BIOFIN) Board, which enabled FPE to bring in its experience in the larger financing innovations of the BIOFIN implemented in several countries
• Completed the work with the Philippine Department of Energy to issue Department Order and issuances that recognized the rights of Indigenous Peoples to access and benefit from renewable energy development projects that are built within their ancestral domains
• Guided the CSOs to closely work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the GEF Focal Point, and the UNDP, which led to the participatory process to gather inputs to the GEF Phase 7 Portfolio Development and SGP7 project document design, which was submitted by the Philippine Government to the GEF Council in 2018
• Initiated issuance of new policies by the FPE Board in 2018/2019 to align FPE's policies and systems with other similar organizations and to meet the requirements of international donors
• These new policy issuances include: Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Policy, Gender Policy, Fraud Prevention and Whistle Blower Protection Policy, Terms of References (TORs) of Board Committees update, Monitoring & Evaluation Policy
• Headed the Environmental Cluster (one out of eight clusters) of a CSO movement called Zero Extreme Poverty by 2030 (ZEP2030) comprised at least 17 CSO formations across the country to reduce extreme poverty from the lives of millions by the year 2030
• Http://zeropovertyph.net
• Enhanced FPE’s visibility in the Asia Pacific region for working with other groups in setting up the Asia-Pacific Conservation Trust Fund Network (APNET) in 2017, with four other Conservation Trust Funds/Environmental Funds based in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Micronesia, Philippines
• APNET’s mission is to provide a common platform to promote and facilitate partnerships and collaboration among the Members and the wider community of organizations working to achieve a vibrant and healthy environment and sustainable communities in the Asia-Pacific region
• Advanced the formation of the GEF CSO Network in the Philippines in 2017, by working closely with the DENR GEF Country Focal Point and CSO leaders across the country through a highly participatory and consultative process
• FPE currently serves as the lead convenor of the GEF CSO network
• Guided the enhancement of FPE’s 10-year Strategic Plan (2015, 2025) in 2017, by steering the refinement of the Plan’s strategic goal and enabling objectives, agreement on the key measures of success and indicators with FPE local and national partners, staff, and Board of Trustees
• Introduced the Theory of Change in 2016-17 in FPE as a methodology for planning, participation, and evaluation of its programs

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Led efforts to assess natural resource policy and environmental governance constraints and identify priority issues requiring policy reform in the Philippines
• Analyzed and promoted policy options aimed at reducing critical threats to natural resources and formulate action plans for reforming priority natural resource policies
• Led efforts in identifying key status and challenges facing biodiversity and tropical forest conservation in the Philippines and advising Mission staff on actions to conserve these resources
• Promoted the adoption and effective implementation of improved natural resource policies, programs, and activities aimed at addressing critical threats to the sustained use of natural resources and supporting better environmental governance

Major accomplishments

• As USAID lead environment officer, with the USAID Team, I negotiated with the Philippine Government (led then by the National Economic and Development Authority together with four departments), using internal and external coordination, stakeholder analysis, participatory tools, negotiations, etc., that led to the signing two US-Philippines Bilateral Agreements: amendment in 2004 and a new one in 2008, which covered USAID’s technical assistance to the Philippines in the environment, natural resources, water, energy, and climate change areas. These two five-year Agreements, of at least USD 70M each, further developed portfolios and projects that helped the poor resource-dependent rural communities and had strong CSO engagement as part of its strategies.
• Served as a key member of the USG team (State Department and USAID HQ) who negotiated with the Philippine Government (i.e., Finance and Environment departments) for the signing of two landmark debt-for-nature swap agreements. In 2004, as USAID natural resources policy advisor, I designed and implemented CSO consultation strategies that obtained buy-in from the CSOs for the creation of the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (USD 8.5M start-up grant funds). In 2013, with my enhanced strategic engagement and partnership management, I closely worked with the new USG Team and Philippine stakeholders conducting policy reviews and community dialogues that secured additional funding ($32 M) to the Foundation to support CSO-led initiatives in the forestry sector in the long term, including the work on REDD+ and with the private sector.
• Led the design of scopes of work, organization, and management of teams of international and local multi-disciplinary experts that conducted two successive U.S. mandated forest and biodiversity assessments (2008 and 2011). These assessments served as critical policy and technical inputs in the development of two five-year USAID/P Country Development Cooperation Strategy for the Philippines, wherein the importance of biodiversity, natural resources, and good governance as foundations for sustained economic development was highlighted, including payments for ecosystems services
• Developed a strategic program in the Philippines with the U.S. Forest Service on climate change mitigation, particularly on sustainable landscapes (REDD+) activities in the Philippines (2010-2015) to enhance the Philippine Government’s capacities in forest planning, inventory, and monitoring, reporting, and verification, among otherLed the design and served as the first USAID program manager of the US$ 22 Million Philippines Biodiversity and Watershed Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program (2012-2017). Led the development of BWISER’s Theory of Change as an M&E tool for biodiversity-funded activity, applying Miradi Software. B+WISER was USAID/P’s largest forest biodiversity watershed project aimed at conserving biodiversity in 7 priority forest areas; reducing forest degradation in targeted watersheds; building capacity to conserve biodiversity, managing forests, and supporting low emissions development; and, contributing to disaster risk reduction at the subnational level. The Philippine Government provided counterpart funds 50% more than the BWISER program amount.
• Headed the USAID management of the USD$ 23 Million total Philippines Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project I (2001-2003) and the design and management of EcoGov phase two (2004-2011). EcoGov was USAID’s largest biodiversity project at that time intended to promote improved governance of forest and coastal resources, and management of the urban environment. EcoGov served as a catalytic model in advancing the role of local governments in the management of natural resources by working with non-state actors, which other donors later built upon their respective NRM programs. Counterpart funding from national agencies, local governments, international partners, and communities more than doubled this amount.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Project Director - Assessment of Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) in the Philippines (Forestry and Irrigation Sectors) Project - Commissioned by the Ford Foundation and undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Forestry and Local Governance, College of Forestry, University of the Philippines at Los Bańos, and the Central Luzon State University’s Water Resources Management Center.
• IPC Representative - Executive Committee of the Upland NGO Assistance Committee (UNAC) and Chairperson, UNAC Subcommittee on Research and Information. UNAC was a national network of eight social development and academic institutions, which aims to collectively assist at least 50 non-government organizations (NGOs) and people organizations (POs) in serving upland communities effectively in the areas of agroforestry, land tenure improvement, marketing of upland products, and policy advocacy, among others.
• Co-convenor Civil Society/NGO Technical Working Group-Cluster 2 of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Indigenous Peoples (OPAIPA) (March to September 2001). The TWG was charged to develop and oversee the mechanisms and process of selecting the new commissioners for the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and NCIP’s Consultative Body.

Major Accomplishments

• Co-authored an annotated bibliography on Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM), which includes the forestry, irrigation, and coastal sectors providing the only, if not the most, comprehensive bibliography on the subject
• Finalized the analyses, synthesis, and integration of the assessment reports of the Philippine CBNRM experiences, specifically in the forestry sector, which formed part of the compilation of sectoral assessments done in conjunction with the CBNRM Project.
• Oversaw the establishment of the CBNRM Resource Center that will serve as the main source of physical and virtual library materials on CBNRM (i.e., irrigation and forestry)
• Advanced IPC’s people-centred-development agenda in the formulation of policies and programs of UNAC in its focus strategic areas
• Shared with UNAC and its CSO constituents IPC’s research activities and outputs related to community-based natural resources management (CBNRM)
• Convened and facilitated the UNAC Subcommittee on Research and Information in coming up with policies, programs, and activities involving UNAC’s other institutions to respond to the needs of at least 50 local upland NGOs and POs (CSOs) located across the country
• Provided technical assistance to the TWG and IP groups based on practical experience and knowledge of the issues and concerns of the Indigenous People’s (IP) sector, especially at the policy level
• Ensured that substantive representation of the voices and views of the IP groups are considered in the formulation of policies of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead coordinator of the World Bank National and Regional Consultations with Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and NGOs on the Review of WB’s IP Policy (Operational Directive 4.0) (1998)
• Initiated, coordinated, and organized activities related to project development and design that are intended for the NGO sector in general, and in particular UNAC NGO/CSO partners
• Lead staff in the Program/Project Monitoring and Evaluation
• Designed, organized and delivered capacity building activities to NGO/CSO partners as part of the Technical Assistance and Consultancy duties

Major Accomplishments

• In coordination with the WB/Washington and WB/Manila Mission’s representatives, oversaw and organized UNAC’s consultation team, finalized the content and structure of the national and regional consultations, and obtained active participation of at least 30 Indigenous Peoples elders and academe and solicited their recommendations to the WB OD 4
• Developed a proposal for an integrated forestry project (i.e., ancestral domain management planning and livelihood activities) in three upland communities, and initiated a relationship with ICCO, a church-based Danish funding agency. This evolved to be the first collaborative work between UNAC and ICCO via the Participatory Ancestral Domain Management Plan Preparation and Implementation Project.
• Assisted the Institute of Agroforestry of the University of the Philippines at Los Bańos, the Diocese of Mindoro, and KPLN, a Mangyan indigenous peoples organization, in developing a collaborative project in support of the Mangyan’s ancestral domain and watershed protection initiatives in Mindoro
• Developed an inventory of local and international resource agencies for collaborative and funding assistance to at least 40 NGOs and POs assisted by UNAC
• Identified the capability-building needs of at least 40 NGOs and POs in agroforestry, marketing, land tenure, and policy advocacy concerns
• Provided technical assistance and consultancy to local NGOs and POs in the following areas: policy issue analysis, preliminary market assessment, project identification, and proposal writing, among others
• Developed evaluation tools/indicators tailor-fitted to UNAC, being an informal network of eight social development and academic institutions
• Organized and oversaw the conduct of five regional and one national review-evaluations of UNAC activities, and the discussion of upland issues faced by local NGOs and POs in 1998 as part of UNAC’s internal organizational assessment
• Designed, conducted, and analyzed a survey of upland initiatives and involvement of more than 50 local NGOs and POs in 1997
• Planned, consolidated, and edited the proceedings of the six regional consultations that served as the main input to the 1998 national conference of UNAC attended by more than 50 upland NGOs and POs
• Oversaw the revision of program indicators and administered the evaluation requirements of the Indigenous People’s Rights Advocacy Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Provided technical assistance to UNAC members and local NGOs/POs in terms of resource access needs, negotiations, and dialogue with local and international funding agencies for projects in the area of forest management, agroforestry, land tenure improvement, and marketing of upland products