Coastal LGUs Convene, Strengthen Coastal, Marine Initiative of the Province
By: Grace Libong, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: Cinderella D. Ronquillo, PG-ENRO | Date: February 9, 2021
PG-ENRO Conducted the 1st Quarter CRM Meeting CY 2021. Representatives from Coastal Local Government Units attend the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) 1st Quarter Meeting facilitated by the Provincial Government - Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) in collaboration with OPAg -Fishery Division and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Conservation and Development Division on February 9, 2021, at the PG-ENRO Conference Room, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. The meeting aimed to discuss the Coastal and Marine Management Initiatives of the Province.
In line with the promotion of various environmental sustainability initiatives for achieving a Stronger La Union, a Province Worth Living In, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) conducted the 1st Quarter Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Meeting with the 12 coastal Local Government Units of the province; Office of the Provincial Agriculture Fishery Division and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Conservation and Development Division on February 9, 2021 at the PG-ENRO Conference Room, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The participants from the LGUs were able to present their CRM updates, accomplishment, best practices and work plan for CY 2021 as well as the budget and implementation of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Plan.
Further, to enhance public environmental awareness, possible activities in celebration of the different Environmental Calendar of Events such as the National Zero Waste Month, International Day of Forest, World Wetlands Day, World Water Day, Earth Hour, Earth Day, Ocean Month, Environment Month, Arbor Day, International Coastal Clean-up, Clean Air Month, National Climate Change Consciousness Month and International Mountain Day were also presented.
Participative discussions on proposed provincial Integrated Coastal Management Plan formulation process; Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment; proposed additional MPA Network and operationalization of Bantay Dagat were also done. Listing of MPA and Mangrove areas of the province was updated, the need for CRM capacity building was noted and designation of CRM focal person was also requested.
Coastal resources are vital to the health and well-being of one’s life because its ecosystem provide direct and indirect benefits. Unfortunately, poor planning and budgeting coupled with uncontrolled use of coastal resources has resulted in degradation of coastal resources. It is in this juncture and with the primary mandate for CRM devolved to local government, coastal municipalities, cities and provinces must take immediate action for these life-giving resources.
