Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Officers convened for their first meeting for 2023 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Capitol on June 29, 2023.
Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) head Jovencia Ganub in her welcome message, highlighted the role of CRM officers, especially in aligning programs with the directions of the province, under Gov. Aris Aumentado, whose core strategy is environmental sustainability.
BPEMO geologist Karl Michael Din oriented the CRM officers on the province’s designation as Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark, the first and only one in the country among 195 Geoparks in 48 nations.
CRM Division Head Villa Pelindingue reported on the coastal resource management situation of the province, including updates on CRM plans of LGUs, the status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and results of the underwater biophysical assessments conducted by BPEMO from January to July this year.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CENRO Talibon and Tagbilaran, through CRM officers Albert Gulay and Shiela May Zafra, also presented updates of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Management Program (CMEMP) and MPA Networks, while PENRO’s Marshall Ugay reported on the agency’s Mangrove Damage Assessment in 2022, as well as, recommendations for mapping and rehabilitation of damaged areas through mangrove planting.
The province has 303 coastal and 64 island barangays with 186 MPAs and BPEMO implements Coastal Resource Management Programs along with Forest Resource and Biodiversity Management, Water Resource, Ecological Solid Waste Management, and Pollution Control, including special programs such as the Environmental Management System, Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Natural Resource Database System, and Land and Mined Out Area Rehabilitation. (PIMO/LMS)
