Environment group lauds Inday's 1st year

ENVIRONMENTAL advocates validate the significance of several environmental initiatives from the uplands to the urban centers reported by Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio in her state of the city address (Soca), as part of her administration’s accomplishments for the past year.

“We are thankful for the partnership of the City Government with our watershed communities and Mayor Sara’s support for environmental initiatives that we have been lobbying for many years,” said Chinkie Peliño-Golle, Executive Director of Interface Development Interventions Inc. (Idis).

Peliño-Golle revealed that the City Government has decided to provide P2,000 monthly financial incentives for over 200 BantayBukid volunteers, previously supported only by non-government organizations such as Idis and Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). Mayor Sara made the commitment when she attended the 5th Watershed Summit in June, where volunteers who have taken on the responsibility of protect-

ing the city’s water sources gathered.

Since then, Idis has been closely coordinating with the City Mayor’s Office in the development of guidelines for BantayBukid’s monitoring and patrolling activities. The City Mayor’s Office will also work with Idis and PEF in training and deputation of additional BantayBukid volunteers.