After four years of preparation, the World Bank-Global Environment Facility (WB-GEF) has finally granted $6.351 Million or P300-M to fund the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) environmental project in Mindanao .

And the launching followed. World Bank project team leader Carolina Figueroa-Geron and party went over to Pagadian City last November 9 as kick-off of the five-year implementing time frame until Dec. 31, 2014.

The P300-M is being downloaded through DA- Mindanao Rural Development Program on Natural Management Resources (MRDP-NRM).

During the launching program, DA regional executive director Oscar Parawan said “it is both incidental and intentional choice of DA-MRDP to launch the project here since Pagadian City, as Zamboanga Peninsula’s (Zampen) regional center happens to be the geographical nucleus of Mindanao and equidistant to Surigao on the north and Tawi-Tawi on the south.

Moreso, seven of the 11 sites are located in Zampen identified as natural resources center of Mindanao and also within the coral triangle of the country. These sites are in Margosatubig and Vincenzo Sagun in Zamboanga del Sur, Mabuhay, Talusan and Olutanga in Zamboanga Sibugay, and Rizal and Sibutad in Zamboanga del Norte.

The other four sites are in Marihatag and San Agustin in Surigao del Sur along with Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao and Lamitan in Basilan province.

Parawan underscored that Zampen cradles seven or 67 percent of the 11 identified sites in Mindanao within the center of coral triangle biodiversity that straddles and spans the Philippines .

Geron, on the other hand, said that Mindanao is the third hotspot next to Brazil and Indonesia as habitat for global significant species such as dugong, manta ray, giant clams, sea grasses and mangrove, which need to be conserved and protected.

Geron explained that the project could have started four years back with only $3-Million but since it was only good for the coastal resources protection and conservation, they opted to wait for WB-GEF to double the grant.

“We wanted a holistic approach in the conservation and protection of our environment not only in coastal resources but in the upland and watershed areas as well. Because whatever destruction in the upland will definitely distress the marine resources below and adversely affect the economic and living condition of the populace,” she added.

Meanwhile, part of the launching ceremonies was the Poster Making contest competed by elementary and high school students with the theme: “Engaging the Community.”

Joefer Quisil, a 15-year old student from San Agustin, Surigao del Sur won the First Prize with P5,000 cash prize, medal and a certificate. The second place was Argevin B. Acaylar from SibutadNational High School , Zamboanga del Norte and third place was Marlon S. Cenas from Xavier High School , Zamboanga Sibugay Province .

At least six municipal mayors were present during the launching ceremony, namely: Edilberto Adlaon (V. Sagun), George Minor (Margosatubig); Dammang Anam (Mabuhay); Joel Caputolan (Olutanga), Roger Dizon (Sibutad) and Datu Ibrahim Sinsuat of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao province.

The other five sites were represented by municipal agriculturists, administrative and planning officers.

Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora E. Cerilles showed support to the multi-million project through her representative Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo.

The governor as chair of the Regional Development Council in Zampen was elated that 7 of the 11 sites of the project are in her area of jurisdiction citing that the project will not only protect and conserve the environment, muchmore, it will address poverty in Mindanao .

After the launching followed the orientation and commitment setting among the stakeholders last Nov. 10 and on the 11th, they visited Triton Island in Vincenzo Sagun and proceeded to Margosatubig.

With the P300-Million to be divided by the 11 project sites for biodiversity, World Bank and the Philippine government anticipate an increase in fish population by 30 percent in terms of biomass and density. (RSAlejado/DA9)

Last update: 24-11-2009 02:26