BOHOL- A MOA creating the Ipil Watershed Management Council was made and signed by and among parties to carry out the objectives outlined in managing the Ipil Watershed.
The council will act as a monitoring and advising body for the execution of programs and projects and watershed planning. This seeks to provide for the development requirements of local communities for their welfare and benefits to future generations.
This action is deemed necessary in order for the stakeholders to have a formal understanding of their commitments and responsibilities towards the sustainable multiple use of natural resources within the watershed in an economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound manner.
The DENR-PENRO Bohol, PENR Officer For. Ariel N. Rica, shall hold the Chairpersonship co-chaired by the Governor Hon. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Province of Bohol. Mayors of the 8 Municipalities, NIA, DPWH, DA, DAR, and POs shall be the members of the Ipil Watershed Management Council.
The composition of the Council may be expanded to include other stakeholders as necessary. DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office - Talibon is hereby designated as Secretariat and shall perform a range of secretariat, technical and administrative duties to support and coordinate the activities of the Ipil Watershed Management Council.
The effective and purposive collaboration of development initiatives among all stakeholders in a watershed will hasten and streamline the attainment of these goals.
As the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) and Bohol Bamboo Industry Development Council (BBIDC) continues its advocacy in promoting the significance of Bamboo for the entire province of Bohol, the Provincial Councilors League (PCL) joined in the ceremonial Bamboo Planting activity held at OneGaHer Freedom Park, Garcia Hernandez, Bohol, today.
The 48 municipalities in Bohol each represented by the members of the PCL actively participated the said ceremonial activity after the formal declaration of Hon. Engr. Filadelfo Jess V. Baja, president of BBIDC and the Municipal Mayor of Garcia Hernandez that the Bohol’s 1st World Bamboo Day and Clean-Up Celebration for this year 2023 be opened.
Subsequently, the participants proceeded to the Municipal Gymnasium for a short program which was also graced by Engr. Paquito D. Melicor Jr, Regional Executive Director of DENR 7; Hon. Democrito “Aljun” M. Diamante, municipal mayor of Tuburan, Cebu; Hon. Melvin Justin “Benjo” M. Labuca, municipal vice mayor of Asturias, Cebu; and Mr. Baltazar Tribunalo Jr., Bamboo Enthusiast.
The province-wide activity serves as a noteworthy example of government agencies, LGUs and local communities collaborating to create a sustainable and eco-friendly future for Bohol province.
This remarkable improvement was observed during the cleanup conducted in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2023 recording around 300 volunteers and covering a distance of 7.2 kilometers. From a total of 148 sacks of wastes weighing 516 kilograms in CY 2022 ICC Day, it has lowered to only 100 sacks weighing 412.5 kilograms for this year’s ICC.
In his message, DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. highlighted that may this annual celebration of the ICC develop a consciousness on proper waste management and eventually become a way life. Dir. Melicor mentioned that even if these wastes are thrown only in land, it will somehow find its way to creeks, rivers and seas and will eventually come back to us. He cited that microplastics have been found in the gut and flesh of fishes in Bohol. This scenario is a call for all considering that we are dependent on our water resources for survival. Lastly, Dir. Melicor tackled the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 which became a law on July 23, 2022 which requires large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes. He also expressed his gratitude to all the volunteers.
LGU Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven P. Lim also reminded the participants that the little things that we do on land has a corresponding impact to our rivers and seas thus proper disposal of waste should be practiced on a daily basis. Mayor Lim added that the goal is to have a plastic-free Abatan River where volunteers could no longer collect wastes in future cleanups.
DMO III Marcial B. Ugay then announced the different cleanup stations and the proper recording and submission of the cleanup forms. Right after the short program, the cleanup officially started. This successful event was made possible by the active participation of around 300 strong volunteers from various agencies, local government units and private sectors namely: Philippine National Police (PNP); Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st Bohol; Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-Cortes); Abatan River Community Life Tour; MLGU Cortes; BLGU Salvador, Cortes; BLGU Poblacion, Cortes; Petron Corporation; Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC); Alturas Group of Companies; SPC Island Power Corporation and P-6 Poblacion, Cortes (Abatan River easement occupants.
The most common wastes collected include plastic bottles, used tire/rubber, empty cans, food wrappers, glass bottles, used clothes, empty sacks, used tarpaulins and diapers. This diminishing trend of waste collected just shows that through continuous information dissemination and call for action, Boholanos are becoming more environment-conscious and loving people.
DENR 7 thru CENRO Talibon initiated the first Offshore Launching of Bohol Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef last August 30, 2023. The DENR stands in solidarity with all those partner agencies to work together to ensure sustainable use of the natural resources.
The launching was attended by the LCEs of the ten (10) component municipalities within Danajon Bank. A collaborative action from Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), PNP, Academe (BISU), PLGU, and Bigkis at Bukluran ng Maharlikang Bansa Movement Inc. (BBMBMII) made this action possible. The movement of individuals catalyze a flow of variation for environmental protection and management.
Further, a council meeting headed by LMP President Hon. Dave Duallo was held after the launching ceremony to discuss future plans for the ecological protection, conservation and management of Bohol Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef. This event underscores the ingenuity efforts through Enhancing Governance Structure and Stakeholder Capacities to “Protect Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef”.
Launching of the “ Bayanihan sa Kalikasan Program” , a reforestation project initiative of the Department of Natural Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region 7 Central Visayas through the National Greening Program.
Bayanihan sa Kalikasan Program is implemented in the region which not only aims to reforest identified forestland areas but also aims to impart and integrate spiritual formations, ans spiritual aspect in the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment as well as provide capacity building/enhancement to the community to ensure successful implementation of the program.
The Bayanihan sa Kalikasan is a movement that brings together passionate individuals, communities, and organizations committed to conserving and preserving our precious environment. Around 20 hectares of forestland in the Municipality of Pinamungajan would be reforested with our very own indigenous tree species.
LGU Pinamungajan and other participating groups and collaborators committed to provide full support and ensure the successful implementation of the “Bayanihan sa Kalikasan” wherein its pilot implementation is the selected peoples’ organization (PO) beneficiary in Sacsac, Pinamungajan Cebu and it will be eventually replicated in some other areas in Cebu and even other Provinces.
Bayanihan sa Kalikasan Secretariat Group, representatives from DENR-7, Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concerns (CACEC) and Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), facilitated and conducted series of meetings with the different stakeholders before and after the forging of the Memorandum of Agreement in January 09, 2023.
“During the launching, we laid down the foundation for various initiatives, such as tree-planting drives, waste management projects, and educational campaigns on sustainable practices. We firmly believe that small acts, when combined, create significant ripples of change, ” Father Murphy P. Sarsonas said.
The event was a remarkable gathering of like-minded eco-warriors, local leaders, and nature enthusiasts who share a common goal: to protect Mother Earth for future generations. Participants of the activity is the Municipal Mayor of Pinamungajan Ana Jessica Baricuatro, Vice Mayor Glenn Baricuatro, PNP Pinamungajan and other LGU participants, MENRO, BLGU Sacsac, Pinamungajan, Sangguniang Kabataan and some constituents, Sacsac Farmers Association, DENR RO, PENRO Cebu and CENRO Argao, Former DENR USEC Renato De Rueda, Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concerns (CACEC), Catholic Women's League, Cebu Lions Club, Cebu Polaris Lions Club, Cebu Council of Lions, Couples for Christ, Cebu Caritas, Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc., United Church of Christ of the Philippines and University of San Carlos.
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RED Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. commends the effort of PO Sacsac Farmers Association thru the leadership of Rudolfu Banguiran because of his continued efforts and hard work to undertake reforestation related activities even then with the absence of budget allocation. He encourages everyone’s participation especially the community within the project area to ensure successful implementation of the program, through revitalizing the Bayanihan Spirit.
Also, RED Melicor expresses his gratitude to all the partners, who in one way or another contributed the program realization with hopes that even with the environmental problems we are currently facing, we can surpass and overcome it through everyone’s participation geared towards the common goal of conserving the environment, our common home.