Governor Pacquiao vows support to environment advocates

 

Governor Pacquiao vows support to environment advocates

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 14, 2022) - Sarangani Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, represented by Provincial Board Member Irish Louie Arnado, recognized the environmental protection and conservation efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the 3rd Region XII Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Summit on September 14.

In his message, Governor Pacquiao thanked the “partners of the government in environmental protection and conservation.” He also gave his full support to all the “initiatives and aspirations” of the DENR-PAMB and assured them “the government always has your back because we are in this together.”

“Constant marine mammal monitoring, tree-planting activities, IECs on environmental conservation, strengthening environmental checkpoints, implementing environmental laws, are just some of the many efforts that all of us here have been doing,” Governor Pacquiao said as he acknowledged the work the sector has been doing towards environmental conservation.

The governor also told them of the “milestone” the province of Sarangani would have by declaring Mt. Busa a local conservation area (LCA) through crafting a provincial ordinance.

He said the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta, “has conducted a series of public hearings” with partners and stakeholders for the Mt. Busa LCA.

Board Member Arnado, who chairs the Committee on Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy, said declaring Mt. Busa as an LCA would further “strengthen its protection and conservation measures from destructive human activities."

Governor Pacquiao said he sees the regional summit as an “opportune time to have a conversation among neighboring provinces and cities who only have one common goal.”

The summit was attended by participants from the DENR Central Office, Biodiversity Management Bureau, DENR XII Officials and Personnel, PAMB Members, and Protected Area Management Office Staff.

They are set to update and capacitate the PAMB members and stakeholders on the latest policies, guidelines, rules and regulations, best practices of some successful protected areas, sustainable financing, users’ fee, and ecotourism development management within protected areas among others.

“Let us continue to do what we think is right for our environment and for our people. We can go on with our pursuit for development but let us make sure that we will not compromise our environment,” Governor Pacquiao said. (Jori Mae R. Samillano and photos by Martin Fernando Bernad Jr./SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 

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