MinDA holds Mindanao Economy and Environment Summit in Davao

By Carina L Cayon

Monday 4th of June 2012

DAVAO CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is holding today until tomorrow, June 5, the Mindanao Economy and Environment Summit in the city, aiming to raise the level of awareness of Mindanawons on the importance of river basins in the quest for food security and sustainable development.

The Summit, being undertaken at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City, also intends to provide a venue for the various stakeholders in the island to discuss and act as one in conserving biodiversity for a balanced ecosystem.

MinDA Chair Luwalhati R. Antonino said the Summit, carrying the theme, “Building Constituency towards a Green Economy,” is a platform under the Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters (MindaNOW) Program of MinDA that aims to gather stakeholders for creating champions and building constituency.

MindaNOW also takes this move to adapt change in responding to the challenge of ensuring food on the table without compromising the carrying capacity of the environment by caring for the waters in Mindanao, Antonino stated.

She said that another goal for holding the Summit is to strengthen coordination and active participation of various stakeholders through a convergence effort with focus on river basin development, conservation, protection and management while taking into consideration climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management measures.

At the Summit, participants are expected to undertake workshops and present summit declarations.

MinDA is also set to launch during the event the MindaNOW website and portal, which would include activities such as online registration into the portal and presentation of firmed-up projects under the MindaNOW Program.

There will also be a signing of memorandum of understanding concerning the MindaNOW Program, and launching of the Mindanao Environment Experts Forum at the event. (CLC-PIA 11)