Rebirth of marine life in Guimaras
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – A shift towards a certain goal for the provinces of Region 3 in reviving Manila Bay seems probable, according to Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.
In the recently held Area-Based Management Summit, he stressed that it may be a better goal for the officials of the local government units in Central Luzon to give more consideration on the preservation of the water quality of the major river systems and waterways in the five provinces included in the Manila Bay Advisory CommitteePampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.
“There should be a shift towards that [goal] because you are the ones who will be directly affected by whatever happens to the environment in your respective provinces. And this shift should be gradual,” Velasco said.
“Instead of focusing on the overall goal, which is the preservation of Manila Bay, let’s just focus on the restoration of the water quality in waterways in each of your provinces,” he suggested.
Furthermore, he stated that such effort in protecting and preserving the region’s water bodies, rivers and waterways would be most beneficial to the people of Central Luzon.
“In foreign countries, [you] see how rivers are also used as means of transportation, which could help ease the growing heavy traffic. Also, rivers can be used in irrigation systems,” Velasco added.
“Of course, rivers are sources of food. What’s more, rivers also provide fertile soil, which is why there are deltas. It is on such soil where vegetables can be planted by the residents living near the riverbanks,” he furthered.
In sum, Velasco emphasized that because of the enormous benefits which can be obtained from the rivers, there is more reason for the executive heads of Central Luzon to “focus [our] minds and time towards preserving the quality of the rivers.”
He told everyone to not take for granted the rivers and waterways in the region and gear towards the “gradual” shift in preserving the latter, and in lieu, restoring the former glory of Manila Bay.
Themed “Synergy of Central Luzon Leaders Envisioning a Cleaner Manila Bay”, the area-based approach concentrated on major interventions per river system that drains into the Manila Bay, namely, Pampanga River Basin, Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System, and Talisay River.
The Manila Bay area in Central Luzon covers 96 towns and cities in the provinces of Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac. By
GUIMARAS – There is a rebirth of marine life in Nueva Valencia town, Guimaras province.
The fruition of a public-private partnership at Igang Bay Marine Sanctuary is seen to bring back a thriving coral site that can boost fish population.
“It’s a slow process, but we are seeing improvement,” said Dr. Vilma Limates of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENRGuimaras).
The Igang Bay Marine Sanctuary is jointly managed by John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) and the Nueva Valencia local government.
In 2014, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) extended technical assistance to Igang Bay Marine Sanctuary through its Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME), a program jointly implemented by DENR.
“This will ultimately result in a healthier coral reef and the fish density will continue to increase,” said Berthold Schirm, GIZ-PAME country manager, during the closing ceremony for the GIZPAME partnership last December 1.
Data showed that density of fish species was only at 44 percent in 2011. This year, there is a 334 percent increase in fish density.
Dr. Ronald Raymond Lacson Sebastian, JBLFMU chief operating officer, said the program has improved cooperation from the community to protect its marine resources.
Mayor Emmanuel Galila of Nueva Valencia town noted how there is a decrease in illegal fishing activities and taught local fishermen not to make shortcuts in earning money.
Mary Mar Esmaña, JBLFMU community extension services officer, added that the area covered by the marine sanctuary is now 38 hectares from the original 18 hectares.