DENR Region XI

Mati, Davao Oriental - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) together with the Provincial Government of Mati launched here today the Integrated Coastal Resource Management (ICRM) program with the theme “A Reef to Ridge Project: Integrating sustainable management of watershed, coastal and marine resources to enhance socio-economic condition of the coastal communities”.

Mati, Davao Oriental is the only province in Mindanao where ICRMP will be implemented.

DENR Undersecretary (USEC) for Staff Bureaus Manuel D. Gerochi, who represents Secretary Lito L. Atienza delivered his keynote speech stressing among others the fact that Local Government Units (LGUs) led programs are successful because they have the mandate and the will to implement them. He pointed out that National Government Agencies (NGAs) will provide the necessary technical assistance and do oversight functions, but the major role will be played by the LGUs. Gerochi is joined by USEC for Special Projects and Concern Teresita S. Castillo, Assistant Secretary (ASEC) for Line Bureaus Jeremias L. Dolino and ASEC for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office Analiza R. Teh, DENR-XI Director Ricardo L. Calderon as well as Regional Technical Directors Emmanuel E. Isip and Atty. Felix S. Alicer.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon felt very blessed that her province is chosen as the recipient of the program. Malanyaon disclosed that the ICRM Project in Davao Oriental is composed of a “Power Team” because it is a horizontal integration of the Local Government Units (LGUs) as well as some National Government Agencies (NGAs). Furthermore, she stressed that the program is also a vertical integration of all the resources in the province and a parallel integration to their “Pagkain at Kita” and “Tourism” Programs.

“Much rest on our abilities to make this program succeed. We must make sure that we can manage the project well and I as the Governor of Davao Oriental accepts my role to carry out the administration of the Program” Malanyaon said.

During the launching, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the ICRMP implementation was signed, CRM Level 1 certification was awarded to the Mati City and Project Administration Memorandum Documents was turned over. The MOA was signed by DENR Officials, Mayors Antero L. Dayanghirang of Manay, Remegio G. Nazareno of Baganga, Alicia B. Mori of Caraga, Samuel L. Uy of Tarragona, Michelle N. Rabat of Mati, Ramie B. Rosit of Boston and Camilo T. Nuñez of Cateel as well Directors of partner agencies such as Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The ICRM, which is a six-year project and funded by the Asian Development Bank-Global Environment Facility (ADB-GEF), aims to provide sustainable management of the different ecosystems in order to increase the income and reduce poverty among municipal fisherfolks. It covers the provinces and municipalities that are surrounded with marine biodiversity corridors of national and global importance as identified by the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities.

As the Executing Agency, the DENR through its Central, Regional and Provincial offices shall be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the project. It will also be responsible for consolidating accounts and progress reports.

The DENR, together with DA-BFAR, shall implement the first three components of the project namely (1) Policy and institutional strengthening and development; (2) Integrated Coastal Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation and; (3) Enterprise development and income diversification.

The Department of Finance-Municipal Development Fund Office (DOF-MDFO) will be implementing the last component of the project which is the Social Environmental Services and Facilities. This aims to provide environmental, social as well as facilities for the LGUs and coastal communities to support local government’s efforts in mitigating coastal pollution and degradation of resources.

The LGU, on the other hand, will be responsible for the selection, design and implementation of the infrastructure support and facilities under the last project component. (Bing Sison)