Sowing the Seeds of Fair Access and Equitable Sharing of Benefits for Banaba and Pili

The Enactment of Five ABS Agreements in Regions III and V

May 11, 2026

Photograph of a signing ceremony with three people seated in front holding documents.

The Philippines is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity and genetic resources. Among its most valued treasures are Pili (Canarium ovatum) and Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa)—species that have flourished for generations across volcanic landscapes and under harsh climatic conditions.

Much like the Filipino communities and Indigenous Peoples who have long served as custodians of these resources, Pili and Banaba embody resilience. They withstand torrential rains, extreme heat, and environmental pressures while continuing to sustain livelihoods and local economies. Yet for many communities, securing fair access to and equitable benefits from these genetic resources has remained a longstanding challenge.

Recognizing the need to conserve and utilize genetic resources in ways that uphold equity and community rights, the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Project has supported the development of ABS Agreements aligned with the Nagoya Protocol, the supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity that promotes the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Since 2024, the project has facilitated five pioneering agreements that demonstrate how communities, Indigenous Peoples, and private sector actors can work together to promote the sustainable and equitable use of genetic resources. These include a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ayta Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (MAO-CADT) of Sitio Maporac, Cabangan, Zambales and Herbanext Laboratories, Inc.; two Pili Growing Contracts involving Samahang Organisasyong Pang-Kalikasan (SOK), Inc. and San Ramon Mountaineers, Inc. with J. Emmanuel Pastries; an Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreement between the Ayta Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (MAO-CADT) and Businesspeople, Inc.; and an Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreement between the Albay Pili and Cacao Industry Association (APCIA) and Leslie Pili Products.

These agreements represent more than compliance with international commitments. They create new economic opportunities linked to the sustainable use of genetic resources while ensuring that communities and Indigenous Peoples receive a fair share of the benefits generated from their use. By establishing clear terms for access and benefit-sharing, they help foster trust, accountability, and mutually beneficial partnerships between communities and the private sector.

Equally important, the agreements reinforce respect for community protocols, customary practices, and decision-making processes. They recognize the rights of communities not only to the genetic resources found within their territories, but also to the traditional knowledge that has safeguarded and sustained these resources for generations.

As these partnerships take root, they are laying the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive approach to biodiversity conservation—one that places communities and Indigenous Peoples at the center. Through the ABS Project, efforts continue to strengthen their role as stewards of the Philippines’ rich biological heritage, helping ensure that the benefits of biodiversity are shared fairly while safeguarding these resources for future generations.