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Sunday, October 02, 2005
5-year program to sustain, protect Davao Gulf launched
A FIVE-year Research, Development and Management (RDM) program, which integrates resource conservation and sustainable development for the improvement of the living conditions of communities along Davao Gulf, was launched in Davao City by Davao Gulf stakeholders.
Launched by the Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) during the recently concluded Davao Gulf Week, the program involves research, capability-building, resource mobilization and policy support.
These components address management areas such as that of the habitat, fisheries, foreshore coastal tourism, watershed, livelihood, waste and pollution, as well as the legal and institutional arrangement.
The RDM Program was launched to address various management issues and concerns that have taken their toll on the productivity of the gulf, which has been noted as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world, as well as the home of endangered species such as the marine turtles and the dugong.
Davao Gulf has been confronted with various issues and concerns such as the incidence of illegal and destructive fishing, the need to strengthen inter-LGU mechanism for coastal and fishery law enforcement, low level of awareness on coastal protection, maritime security (i.e. sea piracy), bio-physical deterioration of some mangrove, sea grass and coral habitats, persistence of solid wastes and agro-industrial effluents, as well as siltation.
The RDM Program thus to ensure the sustainable use and management of the coastal and marine resources in Davao Gulf and advocate the protection of critical marine ecosystem with the active involvement and participation of the local community.
It also aims to institutionalize at the barangay, municipal and provincial levels appropriate administrative mechanism for effective resource management in the Davao Gulf as well as enhance growth and improve the living conditions of coastal communities and achieve domestic food security.
To meet these objectives, the program will employ multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary and participatory approaches to foster support of the community and other stakeholders.
The RDM Program has so far proposed six major projects, which include: "Participatory Resource Assessment in the Rehabilitation and Management of Mangrooves, Coral Reefs and Estuaries in Davao Gulf", "Development and Implementation of the Gulf-wide Fisheries Management Program", "Enterprise and Livelihood Development Program", "Sustaining Stakeholder
Participation in Mitigating Pollution, Protecting and Managing Coastal Environment--A Win-win Approach", "Managing Davao Gulf by Strengthening Policy Implementation and Promoting Community-based Approaches" and the "Integrated Dugong Conservation Project and the Establishment of Coral Nursery Farm at San Pedro, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos)".
The program is being handled by DGMC, which serves as a coordinating body that sets policies or directions on managing Davao Gulf, and facilitates various initiatives and efforts.
The DGMC is headed by Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III, with Igacos Mayor Rodrigo P. Antalan as the vice chair and Margarita M. Floirendo as secretary-general.
Counted as partners of the DGMC are government agencies, non-government organizations, private organizations, local government units and other organizations involved with the protection and conservation of the DavaoGulf.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (October 2, 2005 issue)
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