The Birth of WWF-Philippines

1997 was a milestone year for WWF in the Philippines. As the 26th national organization in the WWF network, WWF-Philippines (locally known as Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas) successfully implemented various conservation projects to help protect the biological richness of some of the most significant ecosystems the Philippines.

WWF’s involvement in the Philippines dates back to 1969, when it funded efforts to protect the Philippine eagle. This small beginning grew into a full-fledged program when, in 1988, the Philippines became the first country in Asia to benefit from an innovative scheme called the Debt for Nature Swap. The Debt for Nature Swap involves the cancellation of a portion of the Philippines' debt with a country in exchange of funding conservation projects . In 1991, WWF facilitated the completion of a US$25 million debt swap for the Philippines funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

In the same year, the WWF Philippine Program was established in Manila to supervise numerous field activities and to work more closely with local partners.

Realizing the need for a homegrown group that would serve as WWF’s partner in the Philippines, prominent businessmen established an associate organization, locally known as Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas (Fund for Nature of the Philippines).

In October of 1996, during the annual conference of WWF in Germany, KKP became an associate member of the global organization. The following year, KKP was transformed into WWF-Philippines and became the 26th national organization of the WWF network.