Region XI Govs, et al., Sign Environmental Accord

TITLE: Governors sign environment accord

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/

By: MICK M. BASA

Manila Bulletin

DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- Provincial governors in Region XI, together with some government agencies and the private sectors, committed themselves to mitigate climate change by recently signing a Memorandum of Agreement that spelled out their individual obligations.

Spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI), all signatories agreed to work hand in hand to conserve the environment and biodiversity in the region.

The local government units (LGUs) through their governors and the Davao City mayor engage in inter-LGU efforts and encourage private sector partnership towards environmental conservation; develop or implement programs that will address problems related to environment and biodiversity; and develop/implement environmental programs to address environmental problems in their respective areas. They also committed themselves to strengthen the institutional capacity of their Environment and Natural Resources Offices.

The DENR, Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Department of Health (DoH) team committed themselves to help facilitate the integration of environment, health and tourism issues at the LGU level; provide technical assistance to the Provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley Province (COMVAL) and the City of Davao in the implementation of an integrated biodiversity conservation program that involves the environment; tourism and health sectors; and, help ensure that biodiversity conservation becomes the top priority of the Regional Development Council (RDC), among others.

DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna pointed out that LGU, government agencies and private sector partnership will surely make environmental and biodiversity conservation of the region successful. It is a fact that these sectors play a pivotal role in the implementation of various mitigation and adaptation programs to climate change while at the same time enhancing environment and biodiversity conservation, he said.

With 2011 declared as the year of the forests, Sampulna vowed to continuously seek support of DENR partners to fight forest and environment despoilers in the region.

Signatories to the MOA were: Governors Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte; Corazon N. Malanyaon of Davao Oriental; Douglas RA Cagas of Davao del Sur; Arturo T. Uy of Compostela Valley Province and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio. Signatories from the government and other sectors were Directors Jim O. Sampulna of DENR, Arturo P. Boncato of Tourism; and Dr. Teogenes Baluma of DoH, Leonardo Avila III of the Davao Gulf Management Council, among others.

Complete URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/302698/governors-sign-environment-accord