Body signs up for Tañon Strait
LGUs, academe, stakeholders manifest commitment to protect sea between Cebu, Negros
MORE than 300 officials from Cebu and Negros, non-government organizations and academics signed the declaration of commitment for the protection of Tañon Strait as the three-day summit ended yesterday.
Several suggestions to enhance the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) Management Plan were also presented during the workshop output discussion.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo headed the signing of the declaration of commitment.
“When you talk about declaration, that reminds us of our obligation that has been agreed during the summit like this,” Montejo said.
Tañon Strait is one of the richest fishing ground in the country, covering 5,182 sq. kms.
It is located between Cebu and Negros.
Threats
The three-day summit headed by the DENR, in partnership with Oceana Philippines and Rare Philippines, aims to address the key threats in Tañon Strait including commercial fishing, pollution and use of prohibited fishing gears.
Illegal fishing activities existing in Tañon continue to degrade fish stocks, according to the Tañon Declaration.
Seventeen years after the Tañon Strait was declared as protected area, the TSPS Management Plan was approved by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) on Wednesday.
Tañon Strait Park Superintendent Viernov Grefalde said the management plan will be finalized within in one month.
It will undergo a technical review before it will be endorsed to the DENR Secretary.
During the sharing of workshop outputs, among the suggestions to enhance the TSPS Management Plan, are proper coordination and consultation to harmonize municipal and barangay plans, creation of PAMB adjudication board and establish a reward and incentive system for coastal law enforcers.
Montejo said that through the declaration of commitment, they will have a guide on what to do to continue to protect the Tañon Strait.
Tasks
Based on the Tañon Declaration, among DENR-PAMB’s commitments are to conduct a massive information and education campaign, assist the LGUs in the implementation of solid waste management law (RA 9003), delineate the boundaries between municipal waters and Tañon Strait and set TSPS guidelines in granting the livelihood to these fisherfolks.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 Director Andres Bojos said his agency will always be there to assist the DENR.
Aloguinsan Mayor Cynthia Moreno, who also signed the commitment declaration, said she hoped that the plan of protecting Tañon Strait will be sustained and institutionalized.
Moreno said she have committed to follow the law.
“My commitment is to disseminate the information to the stakeholders aron pud nga dili maguba ang ilang panginabuhi. Ako committed ko nga makahatag ta’g alternative livelihood aron ang atoang Tañon Strait, dili nato ma- overfish (so that their livelihood will not be affected. I am also committed to give alternative liveli- hood to my constituents so that the Tañon Strait will not be over-fished),” she said.
Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, who was around during the activity, did not sign the declaration of commitment board.
“Wala lang ko mopirma. Daghan taw ba (I did not sign because there were a lot of participants who signed),” Garcia said.
Earlier, the mayor described that naming Tañon Strait as protected area and the 1st TSPS Stakeholders’ Summit as illegal.
He said the declaration of Tañon Strait was only done by then president Fidel Ramos in 1998 and no law relative to this was approved by Congress.
“My commitment is within my locality. Number One is to protect the environment,” Garcia said.
Ocean Gatus, 12, one of the participants of the summit, said what is done today will affect tomorrow.