Barangay officials undergo training on coastal management planning

By Carlo P. Gonzaga

Tuesday 3rd of July 2012

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, July 3 (PIA) -- Barangay officials here underwent a two-day seminar on coastal management planning organized by the city planning and development office (CPDO) in collaboration with the city agriculture office (CAO).

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) officer-in-charge Ramil Gutierrez emphasized the significant role of barangay officials in the making of the integrated coastal management plan (ICMP).

“The plan starts from the mountains down to the seas. The garbage and other debris come from the mountain and go to the seas which is the source of marine resources,” Gutierrez said.

He added that barangay officials play a big role in protecting the mangroves and every participant in the training has an important contribution in the creation of the plan.

City Agriculturist Jose Canlas Jr. said the formulation of the ICMP is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the sea. Its formulation is in compliance with the directive of the government and in accordance with environment laws.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) officer-in-charge Alfredo Palencia said the sudden flooding due to climate change experienced in Marikina and other neighboring towns must not happen in Lucena city.

Other topics discussed during the training included the status of the ICMP for Tayabas Bay, formulation of a plan suitable for the city, coastal and marine waters zoning resource mapping, and identification of coastal habitat. An open forum was held on the last day of the training.

Aside from the barangay officials, members of the Bantay Dagat, Philippine National Police (PNP), Maritime and representatives from St. Anne College that adopted a mangrove area in Barangay Barra attended the seminar. (CPG, PIA 4A/PIO-Lucena)