The Governing Board convenes in Cagayan de Oro City
The Tumaga River Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) Governing Board convened in Cagayan de Oro City to meet with the Cagayan de Oro River Basin and Adjacent Rivers (CDORBAR) WQMA Governing Board for a benchmarking activity. The convergence took place at De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City on May 9, 2017.
The Regional Director of EMB 10, Dr. Sabdullah C. Abubacar welcomed the Governing Board members where he highlighted the importance of learning from past experiences, thus making benchmarking a significant activity. The Regional Director of EMB 9 and Chair of the Tumaga River WQMA Governing Board Edgardo S. Callanta thanked EMB 10 for the warm welcome and hoped for a continuous exchange of learning between the two WQMAs. The Multi-sectoral Group (MSG) Head and Barangay Chair of Tugbungan, Hon. Agustin E. Graciano, Jr., anticipated for noteworthy experiences during the benchmarking activity and hoped that Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City will be partners in nation building.
The best practices of the LGUs within the CDORBAR WQMA were presented by Engr. Edwin I. Dael, City Local Environment and Natural Resources (CLENR) Officer of Cagayan de Oro City and Ms. Letecia C. Estacion of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) Office of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Engr. Dael underlined the activities of the LGU of Cagayan de Oro City that includes mangrove planting along CDO River and coastal barangays, operation of Task Force Kinaiyahan which is involved in the enforcement of illegal mining and illegal logging, creation of Hapsay Sapa Program to rehabilitate the water quality of Bitan-ag creek, implementation of “No segregation, no collection policy” in ten barangays, passage of Septage Ordinance, and others.
Ms. Estacion presented the “Water Quality Management and Environmental Initiatives” of the municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. She discussed the following initiatives/accomplishments/best practices of the municipality:
Enforcement of RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act)
Regular Clean-up Drive and “Pulot Basura”
Creation of MEMT (Municipal Environmental Monitoring Team)
Monitoring and rehabilitation of river and creek easements
Watershed Development and Management which includes the formulation of Watershed Development and Management Plans
Preservation of Water bodies thru Multi-sector Approach (Conduct of river trekkingand clean-up drive in rivers)
Urban Space Greening
Other LGU Approach through Observance of Different Environmental Consciousness & Significant Celebrations
Capacitation of barangays thru skills trainings in environmental preservation
Ms. Estacion mentioned that the creation of the MEMT is one of the best practices of the municipality. It is a composite team chaired by the Municipal Mayor that is tasked to apprehend violators of the following regulations: RA 9003, RA 9275, RA 8749, ECC provisions, local ordinances
This was followed by a presentation on the issues, challenges, and accomplishments of the CDORBAR WQMA Governing Board that was given by Ms. Hazel Jane Fronda, assistant WQMA Focal Person of EMB 10. Ms. Fronda informed the participants that the WQMA was designated through DAO 2013-18 and composed of seven local government units (LGUs) and seven rivers namely: Iponan River, Cagayan de Oro River, Bigaan River, Cugman River, Umalag River, Agusan River, and Alae River.
