LPP REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO INTEGRATED COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

LPP Pres. Gov. Erico Aumentado answers queries relative to successful implementation of the Bohol Coastal Resources Management Plan.

Led by LPP National President Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, Gov. Enrique T. Garcia of Bataan and Gov. Erineo Maliksi of Cavite, the League of Provinces reiterated its commitment to revitalizing the country’s coasts, oceans and marine wealth in the National Forum on Sustainable Development of Coastal and Marine Resources held on June 7, 2006 at the Hotel Philippine Plaza.

Gov. Tet Garcia Bataan

Gov. Ayong Maliksi Cavite

With the theme “Partnerships and Governance on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, Department of Environment and Natural Resources organized the forum in collaboration with the GEF/UNDP/IMO Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA). More than two hundred (200) representatives from national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, donor agencies and the private sector attended the event.

In his opening remarks, DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes highlighted the need not only for greater inter-agency cooperation to address national environmental concerns but also of regional partnerships to effectively undertake solutions to transboundary environmental challenges for the attainment of sustainable development of coastal areas.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered the keynote address. She announced that she has signed an executive order directing Secretary Angelo T. Reyes to lead in the formulation of a National Integrated Coastal Management Plan (ICM) jointly with the concerned government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Communications and the National Economic Development Authority.

“We are the second largest archipelago in the world with a fragile island ecosystem. To protect our coasts and marine waters, we must protect the entire environment – our forests, our lands, our waters, our air-for almost everything that ensues from environmental degradation flows down and impacts negatively on the quality of our seas,” she concluded.

In response to the call for greater LGU involvement in CRM, Gov. Aumentado gave a much-applauded presentation on Local Government Initiatives in Coastal Resource Management citing the experiences and outstanding achievements of the province of Bohol on CRM. Bohol is the sole province accredited with ISO 14001.

Political will, he opined, is crucial in all CRM interventions with emphasis on law enforcement. Provincial governments must take the role of catalyst by providing the stimulus and the right environment to encourage municipal local governments to act.

He added that the League of Provinces is currently advocating that the management and administration of denuded forests and mangroves be given to the LGUs in order to effectively accelerate agro-reforestation.

Gov. Enrique T. Garcia shared the unique and innovative experience of Bataan, which demonstrated the successful engagement of the private sector with the provincial government in the planning and management of a local coastal area. The partnership gave birth to the Bataan Coastal Care Foundation Inc. (BCCFI).

BCCFI serves as the catalyst and provides counterpart funding for the Bataan Integrated Coastal Management Program (BICMP) to build better governance, explore ways for a sustainable public-private partnership in environmental management, increase public awareness and promote community participation.

Former DENR Secretary Elisea G. Gozun gave a presentation on the sad State of Coastal and Marine Resources. This was quite ironic since based on the recent studies of world-renowned scientists, the Philippines is the world’s center of marine bio-diversity. She reported the main cause as our inefficient use our marine resources.

DENR Undersecretary Teresita S. Castillo presented the Work Programme for the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.

Other notable speakers were Congressman Miles Roces, Chairman of the House Committee on Ecology, Ms. Jessica Munoz, Program Director of DA-BFAR, Ms. Liza Antonio, Executive Director of the Philippine Business for the Environment, and Mr. Romy Trono, Country Representative of Conservation International.

Providing support to the event were Ms. Nileema Noble, UNDP Resident Representative and Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Regional Programme Director of PEMSEA. (BOY LIMBAGO)

OTHER NEWS:
	Govs ask Senate to restore P5-B Kilos Asenso, P3-B Barangay Kalayaan Funds
	LPP reaffirms commitment to Integrated Coastal Resource Management
	LPP condemns assassination try vs. Batangas gov
	Anti-cha-cha advocacy, a way to protect personal interests
	Congress leaders asked to stop setting deadlines for parliament
	RDC Federation throws in Cha-cha support for greater local autonomy
	DILG asked to give leeway on use of local funds for official travels
	Cabinet cooperation with LGU leaders sought
	Mountain Province PPOC adjudged as best nationwide
	Bohol and Jiangxi, China seals sisterhood pact on economy, trade, S&T, etc.
	Cavite formalizes its claim as the Historical Capital through the Kalayaan Festival
	Northern Samar is 1st province to adopt zero-waste management plan
	Photo Releases