Photowalk: Sta. Ana Pier, Davao City

In 2012, I had my first photowalk experience in Davao City. Photographers, newbie, amateurs and professionals, gathered as early as 4:30 am to capture the beauty of Davao's Sta. Ana Pier.

I arrived at about 6:00 am. And these are some of the lucky shots.

Boat

A boat in one coastal town in Compostela Valley Province dock lonely in the shore among drift-woods brought by the high tide the past night.

Color Taxi in Davao City

If New York in United States has the famous yellow cab, Davao City in the Philippines has yellow, white, blue, orange, lavender and would you believe black taxi!

Though unusual, it's fun to look at this unconventional taxi splurge of colors dotting the streets of the city.

So, when in Davao City ride all taxi colors and tell me what color suits you best. :D

I'd like to credit other Davao-based blog for the pics, just Googled them.:D

The Curtain of Water

Ante scriptum (if there is such a thing)--- So much has been said about this magnificent falls, so my piece will just be one of them.

Bislig City, Surigao del Sur --- Tinuy-an Falls is a curtain of water. Now known as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines. It stands 55 meters high and 95 meters wide.

Last summer, all roads lead to this majestic attraction. And my visit was intentionally just at the end of summer so there won't be much crowd and photo op would be great.

Along with my friends, it was my first time to visit the place and the first thing that came out of my mouth was "Amazing!"

Even at the parking area, the smaller two-layer water cascade greets you with such a warmth feel.

When you get close to the majestic water curtain, you would be engulfed in such great awe as to how nature exudes beauty in wondrous ways. And then would lead you to think, there really is that God that designs all these beauty.

Above the 55-meter high curtain are another two shorter water falls. I've climbed up to the second level since we were prohibited to climb the third one.

Before I forget, the water, oh, the water is so clean, refreshing, as magnificent as it looks.

And so I plunged in.

By the way, the trip is very affordable.

Come and visit Bislig City now.

Commune with Nature

Nature communing, island hopping, sun and sand basking.

These are among my fondest memories visiting San Agustin in Surigao del Sur.

San Agustin has so much to offer. We went to La Entrada Resort. So aptly named because it's the first resort when you enter the mangrove sanctuary and beach front of the this quiet and quaint town.

La Entrada, in Brgy. Britannia, is tucked in the bosom of a thick, 500-hectare,green canopy mangrove reserved. The resort is so particularly designed to go along with the landscape and terrain of the mangrove forest in order not to disturb the natural setting of the protected area.Such scenery brings you much closer to nature.

Aside from the sumptuous meals, which always included a variety of seafood, from shrimps, crabs tuna and other delicacies from the sea, the place offers a better view of the 24 serenely poised beautiful islets scattered in Lianga Bay.

Good thing is the resort is very affordable and reasonably priced.

The best adventure the place can offer is the island hopping. All right, the hundred islands in Pangasinan is enthralling, but the 24 islets here are equally exotic in its own unique way that it is comparable to hundred islands, Caramoan in Cam Sur and Boracay combined!

I only visited four of the 24, it was already more than enough. See for yourself. I've basked in the sun and sand in Hagonoy Islet, Buslon, Naked Island, and Hiyud-hiyuran Island.

What is more exciting is this town is close to Hinatuan town (about one and a half hour ride) where the enchanted River is located and Bislig City (two-hour ride) where the magnificent Tinuy-an Falls can be found.

Come visit San Agustin.

Libungan, North Cotabato

Literally on foot, on their way home from school


Rural calmness and serenity

Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte

MRDP’s P6.4-M envi project up in Lanao del Sur

Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur --- The Mindanao Rural Development Program’s greening activities are on the roll launching another multimillion environment projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Covering the upland down to its coastal areas, the natural resources management (NRM) component of MRDP in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) here launched recently over P6.4 million worth of projects.

The funding is intended for the establishment of a central nursery which will make planting materials for agro-reforestation activities ready and accessible for the communities. This project allotted over P650 thousand will benefit 15 barangays.

The upland community folk will rehabilitate its forests by implementing a150-hectare agro-reforestation project amounting P3.8 million.

While, the Budas river bank stabilization project allotted P628 thousand will directly benefit three lowland baragays which have been prone to flooding and soil erosion in recent years.

In the coastal areas, a 20-hectare mangrove rehabilitation amounting close to P600 thousand will be conducted. An MRDP study in coordination with the LGU showed that their coastal areas rear at least nine species of mangroves which needs to be protected.

Also, a 30-heactare fish sanctuary will be put up to regenerate the seafood production in the area. The establishment of the sanctuary is earmarked P679 thousand.

Kapatagan is the second town to have launched its environmental protection and conservation projects among the six covered sites of the NRM year-two implementation. Year-one projects of NRM covering another six towns spent P42 million.

“Our aim is to make our natural resources sustainable,” said program director Lealyn A. Ramos.

Ramos said NRM is purposely implementing projects in the upland, the lowland and the coastal areas as activities in the upland have downstream impact to the coastal areas.

“Aside from cushioning the communities from the impacts of climate change, this interconnectivity has to be maintained ‘as green as possible’ in order to fully support regeneration of our natural resources, the source of food and most livelihoods in rural areas,” she added.

As the projects are rolled out, community empowerment is also promoted as MRDP is using a community-driven development (CDD) approach.

“With the bottom-up approach through CDD, peoples’ organization members will be empowered to procure, implement and manage the projects entrusted to them,” Ramos said.

MRDP, a poverty-alleviation program of the Department of Agriculture jointly funded by the World Bank, and the national and local governments, also implements livelihood projects, infrastructure development and assists LGUs in implementing governance reforms.

Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte

Young boy shares to build toilets in tribal villages

Today's reading:

An eight-year old boy uses his singing talent to built toilets in the thirty-seven tribes in Mindanao.

John Mc Earl, while proving his way to be the next inspirational pop prince, chose to support the Kasilyas Program to benefit tribal communities like Manobos, Mamanua, Dumagat, Aetas, and other ethnic groups.

"I have seen through my visits in those areas that those communities lack toilets. It is my way of helping them have their own and at the same time educating them on its importance," the young boy said on Monday's Kapehan sa SM. Mc Earl is in the city to promote his self-titled album serving as an inspiration to many as T3 Community Foundation's Ambassador of Good Will.

A modest young boy of Paranaque, studying in Immaculate Heart of Mary College, he has been developed to become an entirely integrated person and his musical inclination made him popular in singing and dancing.

He shares his time and talent for the betterment of the community with the proceeds of his album and concert going to the Kasilyas Program of the T3 Community Foundation Inc.

The foundation is an independent non-sectarian, non-religious organization that aims to empower the people in enriching community that develops a humane, progressive and equal democratic society. (by Mai Gevara/PIA XI)

Antipoverty program boosts Mindanao's reforestation efforts

The antipoverty program in Mindanao prides itself on its contribution to the reforestation efforts of the country.

The Department of Agriculture's Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) has released over P40 million for its environment projects and half of it is allotted for reforestation activities in the upland the coastal areas in the south of the Philippines.

DA-MRDP is poverty alleviation program under the Department of Agriculture aims to improve incomes, better governance and sustain bountiful gifts of nature of Mindanao.

"We're glad that we have our humble contribution for the protection of our natural resources as well as in the reforestation efforts of the country," said program director Lealyn Ramos.

The recent feat of the country as cited for its low-carbon reforestation program comes as a reward when everyone toils to protect ourselves and the country from climate change Ramos said.

"Our contribution might be considered small but surely it's nothing trivial," she added.

Implemented under the Program's Natural Resources Management (NRM), 575 hectares of upland and coastal areas various areas in Mindanao have engaged in agroreforestation, watershed management and mangrove rehabilitation.

RT Lim town in Zamboanga Sibugay is now implementing 100 hectare reforestation activities with P3.45 million to spend. About three communities in Linamon town in Lanao del Norte have engaged in agroforestry conservation and ecotourism development for its 12 hectares forest cover which house the one of province's tourist spot the Tinago Falls.

Don Marcelino town in Davao region has started the protection and management of its 200 hectare Nuvada Watershed with P4.24 million budget.

In Kalamansig town in the province of Sultan Kudarat, the seaside community is now rearing mangroves planted to its 20 hectares coastal area which is part of its P2 million mangrove rehabilitation project.

The 100 hectare agroreforestation program in Nasipit, Agusn del Norte is now thriving and the community is seeing the promise of its fruit trees.

While in the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, has planted various fruit-bearing trees in 128-hectare area in the mountains of Datu Odin Sinusat town and mangroves in a 15 hectare coast line. The project was allotted P6 million.

Dance Reload: Panabo's ultimate summer performing experience

Just when everyone thought summer is fading fast, the Banana Capital of the South throws a colorful party to end this hot, hot season with performances by the Curay Dance and Arts Workshop (CDAW), Panabo City ’s premiere dance and arts studio.

The jampacked Panabo gymnasium and the excited crowd witnessed the grace, style and creative choreography as workshop graduates paid tribute to classic Disney themes, modern beats and Broadway musicals in various dance numbers.

With recital theme Dance Reload, about 180 workshop graduates grabbed the spotlight.

The audience wowed at the ballet skills of the kids enrolled in baby and advance ballet classes, and at the fluid moves of Hawaiian dancers dressed in colorful grass skirts. The jazz group presented experts from the hit musicale “Chicago,’’ while the hip hop dancers danced to heart stomping arrangements.The night was also highlighted by the taekwondo dancercise.

PANABO’S ‘MOTHER OF PERFORMING ARTS’

“It’s the same excitement and enthusiasm year after year,” enthused Darling Curay, CDAW over-all aesthetic director.

CDAW has become a recognized dance institution in the area with 22 years of training and workshop experience under its belt.

Darling’s Management degree from Ateneo de Davao University might have been put aside awhile when she opened the studio in March 1988 to give way to her heart’s desire for performing arts.

Her various dance trainings with well-known performers, exposures in stage and theater and additional degree in Physical Education beefed up her credentials as performing artist.

“It’s all for the love of performing arts. My vocation to share my talent, as well as my dance instructors’ makes for the lifeblood of this studio,” Darling added. “We want to nurture, develop and enhance the ability and talent of every individual and inculcate in our students appreciation and valuing of art and the artist.”

She said every year, they face the perennial problem of finding sponsors, one reason why in some years they did not have grand recital. It was only recently when people started noticing and eventually appreciated their efforts in performing arts.

Today, the Dance Reload recital has shown that it can be done. There is in fact an overload of dancers in this city, young and energetic performers who will hopefully pass on the love for the arts to the next generations.

Mati City completes P2-M water system

"The waterworks is seen to reduce water-borne diseases."

The people bid goodbye the old and dilapidated water system and say hello to the refurbished multimillion worth water system.

This after the Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) turned-over recently to the residents of Brgy. Tagabakid, Mati City in the Province of Davao Oriental the rehabilitated potable water system (PWS).

The water system is expected to reduce water borne and water related diseases as the leaky pipes and defective intake structure had major makeover. In the past years, there had been reported cases of severe diarrhea in the area alluded to the flawed waterworks.

Designed as level-2 potable water system or communal water system with 37 units of faucets, the newly repaired water system amounting P2.78 million will serve the 325 households and about 1,500 resident of the town.

The local government unit (LGU) of Tagabakid led the project implementation with its 50 percent share of the total project cost while the other half was shouldered by MRPD.

The LGU will also led the establishment of the Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Association (BAWASA) which set up appropriate measures including the schedule of fees for the maintenance of the water system.

MRDP program director Lealyn A. Ramos said that the program will continue to partner with LGUs to establish accessible PWS to help improve economic activities in Mindanao.

She said that inaccessible clean and safe water is a widespread problem in Mindanao which affects the economic activities of the rural areas as fetching water, whose safety is uncertain, consumes most of the productive time.

MRDP has earmarked over P2 billion for rural infrastructure for 2010 including provisions for PWS.

“Although this (infrastructure) is a costly investment, we have a frontload of infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, water system and posthavest facilities since this is the foundation for agriculture to grow. And as we know agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy,” Ramos said.

Jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the 225 local governments of Mindanao, MRDP aims to reduce poverty, improve incomes and reinforce the decentralization mandate of the Local Government Code and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act.

P7-M waterworks underway in Misamis Oriental

Water problem in a town of Misamis Oriental will soon be over.

This as the local government unit (LGU) of Sugbongcogon town and the Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) put up P7.46 million to rehabilitate the poor condition of its community potable water system (PWS).

At present, the residents have to endure the daily rationing of water supply for three to two hours and on that period people have to wait in long queue losing valuable time for more economic and productive activities.

The repair of the water system which includes installing of 75 communal faucets is eyed to serve five barangays of Manga, Alcomohan, Sta. Cruz, Kiraging and Silad with a population of over 3000.

Of the 967 households of the town, 645 have worst case of insufficient water supply which risks the community’s health and sanitation.

Upon completion of the project, the LGU is expecting that residents will have more productive time spent in farming their best known commodities of coconuts, vegetables, banana and raising livestock and reduced number of water-related diseases.

MRDP program director Lealyn A. Ramos said putting in place accessible potable water not only eliminates risk of water-borne and water-related diseases but helps in improving economic activity in the area.

“Since water is a basic necessity, families have to spend a lot of time just to fetch water while economic activities are put aside,” Ramos said.

“The problem in potable water is widespread in Mindanao, and to create a dent in combating this problem, we will continue to partner with LGUs in putting up the needed infrastructures not only water system but including farm-to-market roads, bridges and postharvest facilities as well as livelihoods to stir more economic development,” Ramos added.

Jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the 225 local governments of Mindanao, MRDP aims to reduce poverty, improve incomes, and better local governance.

“Although infrastructure is a costly investment, the program (MRDP) has frontload of infrastructure projects since this is the foundation for agriculture to grow. And as we know agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy,” Ramos said.

MRDP has earmarked over P2 billion for rural infrastructure for 2010 including provisions for PWS.

A new Duterte shines

Today's reading:

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Mayor-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio has become one of this city’s major attractions, not just because she is the first female mayor here with a population of at least one million, but because she is more than her father’s daughter.
Dabawenyos rarely had a glimpse of City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter Sara when she was still in high school and even in college. However, some who saw her riding the “Big Bike” with her father were either intrigued or remained in awe as to how this “mestiza” – thanks to her German blood courtesy of her mom Elizabeth Zimmerman Duterte – could inherit not only her father’s tough stance but even his passion for “Big Bikes.”

Full Article:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/258075/a-new-duterte-shines

WB cites DA-MRDP website

internet buzz: a newly uploaded website is attracting hits

The World Bank (WB) lauded the official website of an antipoverty program in Mindanao, barely six months after its launch.

The website, www.damrdp.net, of Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) was cited for promoting transparency, strengthening advocacy campaigns and spreading public information.
Jointly funded by the WB, the national government and the local government units, MRDP is a five-year program geared toward uplifting the lives of the poorest of the poor in Mindanao by increasing income of farmers, capacitating women and indigenous peoples, and enhancing local governance and environmental protection. The program is implemented through the Department of Agriculture.
WB rural development specialist Carolina F. Geron said the website has been very effective in terms reflecting of the programs activities as well as its policy.

“I congratulate the program for establishing its own website making the program and the Department of Agriculture transparent to the public and to all its stakeholders,” Geron said.

Further, WB procurement specialist Noel Sta. Ines added that the website leads other agencies in promoting transparency.

“I appreciate the (MRDP) website as there is an updated posting of projects for bidding and even the bidding documents are made available in a downloadable format. I hope other agencies follow suit,” Sta. Ines said.

Aside from available public documents, the website also highlights news and feature stories of the most recent activities and feats of the program, the performance of the regional coordinating offices as well as the accomplishments of participating local government units (LGUs).

It also contains anti-corruption hotline direct to WB headquarters in Washington, DC USE, projects status, downloadable brochures and other education materials and links to attached agencies.

“Since 2007, we’ve been wanting to establish our own website and we are glad that we have realized it and even happier with the feedback of its users,” deputy director Arnel de Mesa said.

“We hope to make a dent in making a government program like MRDP as transparent as possible to the public,” he added.

“The internet world is the new highway of information source and information exchange and we don’t want to be left behind of the fast-paced and modern mode of communication,” De mesa enthused.

The InfoACE (Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education) unit of the Program maintains the website.

Meanwhile, WB social development specialist Ines Bagadion also commended the InfoACE team for publishing documents, booklets and brochures that met the needs of the people’s organization as they carry-out various projects under the Program.

Deputy program director Arnel V. De Mesa urged LGUs and contractors to view the website for updates as business opportunities are posted in the website.

WB cites DA-MRDP website

The World Bank (WB) lauded the official website of an antipoverty program in Mindanao, barely six months after its launch.

The website, www.damrdp.net, of Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) was cited for promoting transparency, strengthening advocacy campaigns and spreading public information.
Jointly funded by the WB, the national government and the local government units, MRDP is a five-year program geared toward uplifting the lives of the poorest of the poor in Mindanao by increasing income of farmers, capacitating women and indigenous peoples, and enhancing local governance and environmental protection. The program is implemented through the Department of Agriculture.
WB rural development specialist Carolina F. Geron said the website has been very effective in terms reflecting of the programs activities as well as its policy.

“I congratulate the program for establishing its own website making the program and the Department of Agriculture transparent to the public and to all its stakeholders,” Geron said.

Further, WB procurement specialist Noel Sta. Ines added that the website leads other agencies in promoting transparency.

“I appreciate the (MRDP) website as there is an updated posting of projects for bidding and even the bidding documents are made available in a downloadable format. I hope other agencies follow suit,” Sta. Ines said.

Aside from available public documents, the website also highlights news and feature stories of the most recent activities and feats of the program, the performance of the regional coordinating offices as well as the accomplishments of participating local government units (LGUs).

It also contains anti-corruption hotline direct to WB headquarters in Washington, DC USE, projects status, downloadable brochures and other education materials and links to attached agencies.

“Since 2007, we’ve been wanting to establish our own website and we are glad that we have realized it and even happier with the feedback of its users,” deputy director Arnel de Mesa said.

“We hope to make a dent in making a government program like MRDP as transparent as possible to the public,” he added.

“The internet world is the new highway of information source and information exchange and we don’t want to be left behind of the fast-paced and modern mode of communication,” De mesa enthused.

The InfoACE (Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education) unit of the Program maintains the website.

Meanwhile, WB social development specialist Ines Bagadion also commended the InfoACE team for publishing documents, booklets and brochures that met the needs of the people’s organization as they carry-out various projects under the Program.

Northern Mindanao leads agri infra implementation

Northern Mindanao boosts its key production area by investing in agricultural infrastructure.

The region has completed over 21 kilometers of farm-to-market roads amounting to P51 million pesos which benefited over 3000 farming households in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental.

While a frontload of other infrastructure will soon be completed including 33 kilometers of FMRs and a potable water system (PWS) amounting to over P58 million.

The projects were undertaken under Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) implemented under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Better incomes
Farmer beneficiaries have expressed gratitude over the projects implemented by the local government.

“We now look forward to better income as better roads cuts our transportation costs and preserves the quality of our produce which enables us to command premium prices,” said Sanauya Gunti, chairperson of a local cooperative in Salvador, Lanao del Norte.

The fourth class town of Salvador has rehabilitated a total of eight kilometers of road linking its corn and rice producing farms to the market.

While in the town of Linamon, Lanao del norte better road access has increase traffic of local transportation as well as access of traders to farms.

In the province of Bukidnon, the FMRs in the towns of Kibawe, Lantapan and Manolo Fortich had saved about 30 minutes transportation time after the poor road conditions were rehabilitated.

Other regions
Following region in the implementation is Caraga region with P31.08 mllion worth of completed projects covering close to 20 kilometers FMR and one unit PWS. Region 12 has completed 19 kilometers of road with a total investment of P23 million. Region 11 has spent P14 million for its PWS and bridge projects while region 9 and ARMM has spent a total of P7.93 million and P3.2 million respectively all for FMR projects.

MRDP is a long term poverty alleviation program in Mindanao with a loan portfolio amounting to US$83 million from the World Bank plus the funding share from the national and local government units.

Safe water now flows in Agusan del Norte

Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte -- The old and leaky water system in Brgy. San Roque here which made the people thirsty of safe water for long years is now refurbished bursting with fresh potable water.

This after the local government of Kitcharao and the Department of Agriculture – Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) equally shared the investment of close to P4 million pesos for the project.

“Water is a basic necessity, that’s why it’s the priority project of my administration,” said mayor Aristotle Montante.
MRDP program director Lealyn Ramos said potable water supply is one of major projects under MRDP earmarked with around US$4.6 million.
“Unsafe household water is counterproductive, it costs us time and money. That’s why it remains as the priority need in rural Mindanao and the program pro-actively respond to that by putting it among our major projects,” Ramos said.


Refurbishing the bad and old
The old water system was in real bad condition. Its intake box has seepages; the pipelines were bursting and leaking, making it susceptible to contamination; and the water pressure was low. While the water barely reached the community and met the growing demand, water-borne diseases in the community was also observed high.

Communal faucets no longer give enough water especially during peak hours. If they have to fetch water, it will take them 45 minutes to reach the nearest water supply. People are also forced to buy commercially packaged water for drinking which entails additional expense on every household.

The rehabilitation of the water system included construction of a 67.48 cubic meter reservoir and chlorination tank, the replacement of the intake box and the main pipelines, installation of 60 units communal faucets and rerouting and replacement of distribution pipelines to better serve the community.

Now serving 2,203 populations in 360 households in Brgy. San Roque including the San Roque Elementary School, the renovated facility promoted proper hygiene in the community as they are now back to using water-sealed toilets instead of dumping human wastes in farmland and the nearby lake.

Neighboring barangays also come to avail of the clean and safe water as there is still insufficient water supply in other areas of the municipality.

More water projects on the way
With the positive response from the community, the local government is preparing to install new water facility in other Barangays in town.

“We are now preparing the new water project that will cover five more barangays including the poblacion area,” the mayor said.

“Despite the limited resources and costly investments, local leaders should spend on projects that are beneficial for the people. Local governments should not be dependent and wait for national government to fund projects for them,” he said

“And we capitalize on the fifty percent counterpart of MRDP,” he added.


Thankful school

Michael Tadulan, an alumnus and now grade 6 teacher of San Roque Elementary School, said that since his elementary years, he could not remember the school having its own water facility.

“Our pupils now are lucky since there is ready accessible clean and safe water in the campus. Unlike years back when I was a pupil here, we have to go out of the campus to fetch water,” Tadulan said.

“It’s necessary to have water in the classrooms, so prior to the installation, pupils are exposed to high risk in fetching water outside the campus because we are near the National highway,” he added.

Today, two faucets were installed inside the campus.

“As a resident and a teacher, I am so thankful that we became beneficiaries of the program of the Department of Agriculture. So I encourage my community to protect this project and conserve water,” Tadulan said.

He also added that there is a need to educate the community to ensure that the water system would last.


Community Mobilization
The barangay council has agreed to have the facility managed by the Barangay Water and Sanitation Association (BAWASA). Monthly bills of P15 per month will be imposed to raise more revenues to sustain the project.

“We set rules and regulations which among others state prohibition of illegal tapping and doing laundry in near the faucet,” said BAWASA Chairman Danilo Bravo.

“Every member is also asked to guard the faucet installed near each residence,” Bravo added.

With the reduced time for fetching water, Bravo said “we expect our community will be more productive and children to have plenty of time for their studies. So I sincerely thank the government for their efforts.”

With the refurbished potable water system, life is now more refreshing for the San Roque folks.

GEF assesses biodiversity conservation efforts in Mindanao

Zamboanga City --- Mindanao’s biodiversity hot spot will take center stage here.

This as representatives from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) assessed on April 8, 2010 the progress of its biodiversity conservation projects in eleven sites in the island region.

The activity is part of US$6.3 million grant of the facility to reinforce implementation of the Natural Resources Management (NRM) component of the second phase Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP2).

GEF is an organization that plays key role in addressing global environmental priorities such as biodiversity, climate change, ozone depletion and pollution of international waters.

Its biodiversity program, the largest portfolio of 36 percent, aims conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the maintenance of the ecosystem goods and services that biodiversity provides to society, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

World Bank is one of the implementing agencies of GEF.

Eleven sites in Mindanao have been found to house globally significant species such as dugong, marine turtles, manta rays, giant clams, sea cucumbers, whale sharks, diverse mangroves and shells, endangered fowls, forest trees and other flora and fauna from its mountains down to its seas.

The sites include the towns of Olutanga, Mabuhay, and Tulusan in the province Zamboanga Sibugay; Rizal and Sibuitad, in Zamboang del Norte; and Margosatubig and Vencinzo Sagun in Zamboanga del Sur.

Marihatag and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur in Caraga region; and two more are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao and Lamitan City, Basilan.

The discussion will highlight the activities conducted of the covered sites and the outline of it’s the on-ground investments.

“Being at the heart of the coral triangle, the Philippines, particularly Mindanao takes pride of its abundant and diverse natural resources but fears its eventual degradation due unfriendly human activities and other external factors,” MRDP program director Lealyn A. Ramos said.

She added that it is everyone’s concern and duty to preserve the environment since it’s the source of most livelihoods and food.

“As stewards of the gift of rich environment we are duty-bound to protect it for our own use and good,” she said.


In February this year, President Arroyo through presidential proclamation 2003 declared 2010 as the national Year of Biodiversity in support to the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity of the United Nations.

The proclamation recognizes the importance of biodiversity for human well-being and that, Philippines is among the mega diverse countries with immensely rich biodiversity but is facing threats of degradation.