About US

The Society was founded in 1979 under its original name, UESP (Underwater Ecological Society of the Philippines), it was duly registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The name was amended and changed to the Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP) in October 1983. It is a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization.

ESP was formed to provide a formal institutional organization that would cooperate and collaborate with both private and public sectors of Philippine Society; for the institution, sponsorship, assistance and financing of action programs, studies, and research pertaining to the conservation, enchantment, and protection for mankind of nature in all its forms, and the
natural environment, including fauna, flora, landscape, water, soil, forest, and other natural resources.

Immediately after its formation, ESP became a bonafide member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). At present, ESP is continually monitoring several companies that are polluting the  environment and coordinating with the EMB, DENR, and other NGOs to stop and/or install pollution abatement equipment. The Society together with local NGOs have actively campaigned with the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines (CBCP) to come out with a pastoral letter to promote the fight for a clean and healthy environment as imbedded in the constitution.

The Society joined the Philippine Ecological Network (PEN), a coalition of NGO civic groups and Government Agencies (GA) to directly address the worsening conditions of the environment, the continuous degradation of our remaining forest and the wanton destruction of our marine environment by antiquated fishing methods, such as muro-ami, kayakas, dynamite fishing and illegal trawl fishing.

The Society is also a member of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development Subcommittee and Biodiversity, Atmosphere and Climate change.