DMMMSU through its Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) forged partnership with Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. (TK) and the Municipality of Agoo, La Union on August 9, 2021 for the implementation of “Greening Agoo thru Community Engagements Project”.

The project aims to empower local organizations on environmental governance, to provide green and economic support of target beneficiaries, and to improve environmental integrity. Three activities lined up under this project include: 1) Bunga para iti Pamilya (Fruits for Families), 2) Bougainvillea Kay Ganda!, and 3) Panagpaadu iti Lokal nga Kaykayo (Propagation of Native Tree Species).

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Agoo Municipal Mayor, Hon. Stefanie Anne Y. Eriguel; President Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., and TK Executive Director, Atty. Ma. Ronely Bisquera-Sheen. Also present as witnesses were DILG-La Union Provincial Director Virgilio P. Sison; DMMMSU Vice-President for Research and Extension, Dr. Cynthia Rodriguez; Agoo Municipal Officials; TK personnel; and DMMMSU IEG Trainers headed by Mr. Celso H. Jucutan.

Mayor Eriguel thanked TK and DMMMSU for assisting the municipality in fostering its local environmental initiatives. Further, Atty. Sheen mentioned that TK through the IEG Centers will help build local capacities on environmental governance especially with the implementation of the Mandanas Ruling. Dr. Manuel also committed continuous technical assistance from the University to strengthen environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, Dir. Sison emphasized the cooperation of all sectors in addressing environmental challenges.

These IEG projects are part of the Environmental Justice Sector Reform in the Philippines Project (ESJRP) funded by US Department of State – Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and US Department of Interior – International Technical Assistance Program (US DOI ITAP). (Celso H. Jucutan)