The conduct of First Provincial Coastal Resource Management summit has set a higher level of consciousness to some 150 participants coming from both the coastal and upland municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur.

Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo who is the concurrent Provincial Environment and Management Officer (PEMO), in his synthesis said that those who participated in the 2-day CRM summit (May 29 and 30) have contributed the first step to ensuring that no one in coastal barangays is left out in obtaining a better quality of life.

According to Degamo, Governor Auring E. Cerilles and US Ambassador Kristie Anne Kenney, in their conversation both agreed to come up with a comprehensive plan for environmental protection of the province which will eventually beneficial throughout region 9.

Moreover, then DENR secretary, second district representative Tony Cerilles  instructed him to create a plan to include security, law enforcement, infrastructure, environmental protection, health, eco-tourism and human resource development.

Congressman Cerilles envisioned to construct a coastal road from Tukuran connecting other coastal towns in the second district.  It will also include establishment of processing plants, additional fishport or other infrastructures.

Amid the fact that these would be projects need huge amount of money to implement them but with the USAID’s financial and technical support side by side with the different local government units, private sectors and the community, ultimately, this plan will be realized, Degamo said.

Ambassador Kenney lauded Governor Cerilles’ leadership for holding the summit as it is the venue of exchanging ideas and best practices among stakeholders in the four bays (Panguil, Yllana, Dumanquillas and Maligay) in tapping their natural resources.  She cited that dynamite fishing is definitely destructive, saying: “you may get more fish today but you have no more fish to catch for tomorrow.”

USAID’s support to this endeavor was evidenced by the presence of Kenney’s staff Aurelia Mico who kept an eye on the proceedings of the summit

As the summit continues, the law enforcement committee highly recommended that there should be a permanent naval facility in the province.  In the past two months, the Fishery Law Enforcement Team of Illana Bay Regional Alliance (IBRA-9) has intensively campaigning against illegal fishers and tracking down sea pirates. 

So far, the FLET headed by PNP provincial director Ramon Ochotorena with the Philippine Maritime Police has been working with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Army particularly with the 53rd Infantry Battalion which apprehended unlicensed fishing boats compeling fishermen to legally register in their respective municipalities.

Significantly, the summit was closed with the inking of the Declaration of Support to CRM and environmental initiatives in Zamboanga del Sur marshaled by Governor Cerilles.

Notably, among the 15 coastal municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur, only  mayors George Minor of Margosatubig for Dumanquillas bay and Edilberto Adlaon of Vincenzo Sagun for Maligay bay had stayed and completed the 2-day summit.

To mayor Adlaon the summit was so memorable to all Zambosurians as it has brought the US ambassador to grace the affair.  “Through this summit, we can now forge our linkage with Dimataling and Pitogo and agree among ourselves to have a unified plan for the protection and conservation of the Maligay bay.

“We have a very big area at the middle called Takot shore about 300 hectares which is left idle for a long time which has been damaged by illegal fishing. Together with Dimataling and Pitogo, we are contemplating to declare this area as common marine sanctuary.”

For a legislator’s point of view, board member Juan Regala said that  the summit proved to be rewarding to all the people behind its success.  He is hopeful  that the program implementers especially the LGUs of the 4 bays will incessantly protect our seas.

He read EcoGov chief of party, Prof. Guiang’s guiding words, which states: “your local economy depends on your environment; destroy your environment and you will destroy your economy.”

Last update : 10-06-2008 15:18

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