To provide learning sessions on environmental governance to Local Government Units (LGUs) particularly coastal municipalities, Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. and the Institutes of Environmental Governance (IEG) of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), and Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) concluded a 4-day Environmental Governance Training for department heads of Aurora and Quezon Province LGUs as part of Component 2 of the Environmental Justice Sector Reform Program (EJSRP) Phase 3 on May 24, 2024 at the International Convention Center, DMMMSU-North La Union Campus (NLUC), Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union.
Prof. Keneth Garcia Bayani, University Research Director warmly welcomed the participants on behalf of Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., DMMMSU President. He extended his appreciation to the organizers and participants for choosing the university as their learning hub.
Atty. Fritzielyn Q. Palmiery, Executive Director of Tanggol Kalikasan also joined in welcoming the training participants by emphasizing the importance of training the LGU officials in enhancing the enforcement of environment and natural resources laws.
Atty. Ma. Ronely D. Bisquera-Sheen, Managing Director of Tanggol Kalikasan, discussed the rationale behind the training. Further, she dealt on developing their Area-Specific Action Plan (ASAP).
Competent resource speakers and facilitators discussed various topics during the 4-day training.
Facilitators trained the participants on Integrated Watershed Management Approach (IWMA), Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), Mangrove Ecosystem Management, Sustainable Agriculture, and Ecological Solid Waste Management.
During the Basic Environmental Law Enforcement Skills and Procedure session, the facilitators examined various environmental laws such as the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 10654), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749), Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275), Environmental Impact System (PD 1586), and Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines (PD 705).
Lawyers from Tanggol Kalikasan explained the procedures on Arrest, Search, Seizure, and Detention as well as Policy Drafting and Training and Deputization of Bantay-Dagat and Bantay-Gubat.
Charlie Balanon Balanon, a Licensed Environmental Planner, shared the solid waste management program of LGU Balaoan. Dr. Divina Gracia Gonzales Apigo, Bacnotan Municipal Agriculturist and Veterinarian, focused her sharing on the coastal resource management programs of LGU Bacnotan. Mr. Nickson Patrick Tomines, Fisheries Coordinator of San Fernando City, La Union, shared about “Task Force Sagip Karagatan,” a coastal initiative.
Prof. Victoria Malaya, Project Leader of DMMMSU Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) shared the technologies and innovations being implemented by the institution. Products of the DMMMSU-ATBI such as bangus sardines, marinated bangus, honey, vinegar, and chips were displayed and sold during the training.
Aside from sessions at the International Convention Center, participants also engaged in the learning tour to Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI), National Apiculture Research, Training, and Development Institute (NARTDI), Bauang Bakawan Eco-Park, and Balaoan Sanitary Landfill.
More than seventy (70) LGU officials and Department Heads specifically Local Chief Executives (LCE), Municipal Council Chairpersons on Environment and Agriculture, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENRO), Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAO), Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDO), Fishery Coordinators and faculty trainers successfully completed training.
The 4-day training challenged the participants to be protectors of nature through their active engagement on environmental governance.
(by Celso H. Jucutan)
