PGLU PARTNERED WITH JAIME V. ONGPIN FOUNDATION INC IN PROTECTING THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT OF LU
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC - SP | Photos By: SP | Date: March 7, 2023
The Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. (JVOFI) represented by its Deputy Director, Mr. Jonathan D. Santiago, presented the United States Agency for International Development โ Investing in Sustainability and Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems (USAID โINSPIRE) Project entitled, โStrengthening Good Governance and Multi-stakeholder Collaboration in the West Philippine Seaโ during the 36th Regular Session of the 23rd Sangguniang Panlalawigan on March 7, 2023 at the SP Session Hall.
According to Mr. Santiago, JVOFI is one of the 11 organizations awarded by USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation with this project amounting to P15.9M which aims to improve the natural ecosystem, services and sustainable livelihood in the Fisheries Management Area through good governance and active multi -stakeholders participation using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in the Province of La Union.
The JVOFI will be partnering with the 11 coastal municipalities and one city in the province of La Union; namely; Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Sto. Tomas Rosario and City of San Fernando for the strengthening of La Union Local Implementation Team on fisheries management; enhancement of the capacity of the civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to engage in the local natural resource governance and to manage the 12 marine protected areas of La Union through the ecosystem approach to fisheries management; and promotion of conservation based enterprises to provide income earning opportunities to, at least, 20% of fishermen in the Province of La Union.
In order to proceed with the specific activities of the project, the JVOFI, through the letter-endorsement of the Honorable Governor Raphaelle Veronica โRafyโOrtega - David, requested for a Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Government of La Union and other national government agencies which was transmitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review and approval. The subject MOA was referred to the SP Committee on Environment, Human Ecology and Security. Considering that the project will protect the coastal environment through good governance and will promote #LaUnionProbinsyanihan, Committee Chair BM Pablo Ortega, favorably endorsed the approval of the MOA during its Committee Meeting on March 8, 2023.
JVOFI is one of the civil society organizations accredited by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. After the resolution has been approved, they will proceed with the Local Implementation Team Orientation on RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and the La Union Fisheries Code on March 21, 2023 followed by a MOA signing on March 22, 2023.
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