BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- Regional line agencies and local government units in the Cordillera region expressed support to the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) in the Philippines to ensure a “zero waste” waters.
The Environmental Management Bureau - Cordillera spearheaded the regional launch of the (NPOA-ML) in a ceremony coinciding with the Regional Environmental Summit in Baguio City recently.
Among those who expressed support include MGB-CAR Regional Director Fay Apil, DOST-CAR RD Nancy Bantog, DTI-CAR RD Juliet Lucas, DILG-CAR Assistant Regional Executive Director Ruperto Maribbay, Jr., Watershed and Water Resources Research Development and Extension Center TTPEU Chief Chita Hidalgo, DA-CAR Research Division Chief Luis Lang-oy, and LTO-CAR Transportation Regulation Officer Chiki Gano.
From the LGUs, Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas represented by Executive Assistant Dave Cabuten, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong represented by Engr. Marivic Empizo of the CEPMO, Pudtol Mayor Hector Reuel Pascua, Liga ng mga Barangay Chairman Michael Lee Lawana represented by Holy Ghost Proper Punong Barangay Murphy Maspil, Sr.
EMB-CAR Regional Director Ma. Victoria Abrera explained that the NPOA-ML is developed to provide a blueprint to enhance the current efforts of the country in resource and waste management and to bring additional lens to marine litter issues and the control of additional leakage of waste into bodies of water.
The commitments of the different stakeholders will bring opportunities to fill the gaps on the current efforts in the solid waste management particularly reduce, reuse, recycle or 3Rs approaches, and eventually, help localize the NPOA-ML in the Cordillera, she said.
“By the principle of “Ridge to Reef,” we are aiming to provide a holistic intervention for protecting our coastal areas by targeting environmental degradation in the uplands, an integrated management approach. Thus, we need you. You are here, we are here. Our commitments will definitely help reduce, if not stop marine liters from reaching marine waters,” said Abrera.
In his message, DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo through Assistant RED for Technical Services Maximo Soriano, Jr., called and challenged his fellow executives to continue the partnerships with the DENR in environmental activities.
“To my fellow directors, the challenge to go beyond what our position requires of us is calling. It has already been clear with our various partnerships in other environmental activities that the DENR cannot do this alone. Your expertise in various areas and your influence in the different sectors of the community remain to have an impeccable contribution to meeting our goals of a cleaner environment,” Pablo stated.
During the same event, the EMB-CAR recognized LGUs, individuals and other groups for “Best Practices on Ecological Solid Waste Management.”
Awardees for the Outstanding Practices in Upcycling and Crafts Production are Marion Codeo from Atok, Benguet for the individual category, and the Mayag National High School in Bauko, Mountain Province thru Principal Daisy Taganas and Teacher Zaira Bulasoy for the group category.
The Municipality of Paracelis in Mt. Province was recognized for the Outstanding Practices of Composting Operations, the city government of Tabuk for the Outstanding Practices in Sanitary Landfill Operations, and the municipality of Pudtol in Apayao for Outstanding Practices of Materials Recovery Facility Operation. (JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)
