Our Story

The NTFP-EP Philippines was registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2015. While only registered in 2015, it has been operational since 2004 as part of the Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP), a SEC registered organization. NTFP-EP Philippines was formerly known as NTFP Task Force, the Philippine programme of NTFP-EP.

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In 2011, the Board of Trustees started discussing the establishment of separate country offices. NTFP-EP was growing in terms of staffing, projects and programs in almost all the countries. There was difficulty in managing the staff and programs and in monitoring and implementing the different projects. There was also difficulty in securing funds.

 

Owing to its nature as a regional organization, NTFP-EP cannot just secure local (country specific) funding as local registration is sometimes required. Also, the Board feels that as it is a regional network, NTFP-EP should also make its presence felt not only in the different countries but also in regional engagements such as the ASEAN. It should also focus more on advocacy and establishing learning platforms on a regional level. The proposed set up was that the country offices would still be part of NTFP-EP and thus should abide by its principles. However, on specific country issues and policies, their respective Board of Trustees would be in charge.​

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In 2013, during the strategic planning the members and staff decided to secure a separate SEC registration for better governance and effective implementation of projects. NTFP-EP Philippines remains part of the NTFP-EP regional network. There are collaborative projects with other countries and the regional office but it has also started seeking projects as NTFP-EP Philippines. 
 

NTFP-EP Philippines manages and implements its own projects and programs, while continuing to collaborate with NTFP EP Asia and other international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs).