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Friday, February 06, 2004
EU sets aside P30-M for Lake Sebu
THE European Union (EU) has set aside some P30-million for the development of upland communities in Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato as part of an expansion program of the EU-funded Upland Development Program (UDP).
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said the EU project, a partnership with the provincial government, would primarily focus on the protection of the mountains and lakes in the area and eventually the development of their surrounding communities.
The governor said UDP has tapped Barangay S'loton, which is located at the banks of Lake S'loton, as pilot project area. The provincial government and UDP would co-manage the initiative dubbed S'loton Development Project.
She said the project would initially cover Lake S'loton area, but EU is reportedly considering a possible expansion to cover all communities surrounding the area's three lakes and an additional funding of P100-million.
Fuentes said the project is very significant since EU's approach is concentrated on the implementation of various environmental protection initiatives by giving more emphasis on the development of the community-beneficiary.
"(EU) believes that for us to effectively convince people to protect their surroundings and not do any harm or abuse in them, we must be able to address some important factors such as their social and economic needs," she said.
In the case of Barangay S'loton, the governor said EU, through UDP, intends to build and rehabilitate the area's roads, potable water needs, schools and provide alternative sources of livelihood to residents.
She said UDP, which has ongoing projects in the towns of Tantangan and Tampakan, would provide technical assistance on upland farming systems to local farmers.
Fuentes said the livelihood aspect is very important since it would eventually stop residents from exploiting their forests or abuse the lakes through illegal fishing methods.
Known for its delicious tilapia, Lake Sebu's lakes Lahit, S'loton and Sebu were declared to be dying two years ago due to the degradation of water quality and the rapid growth of water lilies that eventually resulted to declining fish supply.
The provincial government immediately responded to the problem by allocating some P3.3-million for the rehabilitation of the three lakes through the Lake Sebu Rehabilitation, Conservation and Development Council.
So far, UDP has started the training of at least 35 community organizers for the project.
The governor is now on a study tour in Nueva Vizcaya along with Lake Sebu mayor Basilio Salif and other provincial officials to observe several EU-funded upland development projects.
Meantime, Fuentes said they are now working out with EU for the approval of separate project proposal worth P100-million for the rehabilitation and development of Lake Holon, formerly Lake Maughan, in T'boli town. Allen V. Estabillo
(February 6, 2004 issue)
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