GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles has expressed her full support for the implementation of the Natural Resources Management–Global Environment Facility (NRM-GEF) and lauded the inclusion of seven biodiversity sites of Zamboanga Peninsula.
The NRM-GEF helps programs and projects that protect the global environment through grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants.
In her message read by Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo, Cerilles commended the efforts of the officials of the Department of Agriculture–Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) in coming up with such projects attuned to integrated ecosystem management and community-based natural resource management.
“This will significantly help boost our steadfast pursuits for the development and preservation of our natural resources and the environment,” was Cerilles’ message.
The DA, in its press release named the biodiversity sites in Zamboanga Peninsula as Margosatubig and Vincenzo Sagun in Zamboanga del Sur, Mabuhay, Talusan and Olutanga in Zamboanga Sibugay including Rizal and Sibutad in Zamboanga del Norte.
The others are Marihatag and San Agustin in Surigao del Sur, Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao and Lamitan, Basilan.
These sites will be placed under DA’s research, conservation and recovery activities which aim to protect and revitalize Mindanao's most important wetlands and wildlife resources.
In its website, the MRDP said these are special community-based resource management component called the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Conservation (CMBC) which is funded by the GEF.
DA regional executive director Oscar Parawan said that a total funding of about P300 million will be used to finance various conservation and wildlife habitat projects in the mentioned sites.
The grant will be downloaded through DA’s MRDP-Natural Management Resources, Parawan concluded.
REPORT BY ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU