Signifying that protecting the nature and environment is equivalently protecting the people, Regional Development Council XI Chairperson and Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon expressed her take and initiatives on the agendum Ecological Integrity and Preparedness and Resilience: Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Resilience during the breakout session of the monumental conduct of the 2nd Mindanao Development Forum 2023 on May 18 at the Acacia Hotel, Davao City.
With Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA’s) thrust in accelerating growth in an inclusive economy through the Mindanao Development Forum and its aim in accumulating further strategic ideas for growth and progress, Governor Malanyaon took the opportunity to provide insights and possible actions in recognition of the critical role of the environment which contributes to a negative impact to the society and affect the lives of individuals if taken lightly.
Governor Malanyaon said that Davao Region is vulnerable to climate change and disasters which makes it a more reason to tend to concern about environmental issues including the pollution of water bodies, improvement needs in solid waste management, and the limited Local Government Unit (LGU) investment for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
“To address the environmental concerns, we should account for the adoption of an integrated water resource management approach, as well as increasing access to proper waste disposal facilities, strengthening the capacity of Local Government Units and communities in disaster prevention and preparedness, improvement of the Region’s Ecosystems Resilience including the use of nature-based solutions and stern implementation of the enhanced National Greening Program,” Governor Malanyaon added.
Together with Governor Malanyaon in prioritizing Ecological Integrity, Preparedness, and Resilience were Undersecretary (USEC) Joselin Marcus E. Fragada of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Director Raylindo Aniñon of the Office of Civil Defense XII, Province of Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., the RDC XIII Chairperson, and Science Diplomat Glenn Banaguas, the Chairman of ASEAN Sciences Diplomat.
Among the government’s actions in protecting the environment is the rehabilitation of the forest through the national greening program which seeks to grow a billion trees for the unproductive and degraded forests for environmental stability, biodiversity conservation; enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation, and helping reduce poverty and provide food security through green jobs generation and employment opportunities.
Governor Malanyaon also brought the concern to USEC Fragada and the MinDa regarding the safeguarding of the protected areas being threatened by the encroachments of the mining companies, especially the Province of Davao Oriental’s Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary. Moreover, Governor Malanyaon is rigorous in her environment’s advocacies, not overlooking illegal logging activities.
During the breakout session, the environmental initiatives presented were strongly supported by the private sector, government agencies, and other sectors leading to recommended actions such as multi-stakeholder initiatives, expansion of resource-based industries, sustainable tourism initiatives, and several others.
The Environment Plans and Considerations were among the Mindanao Development Forum’s endeavors to sustain strategic partnerships for Mindanao peace and development in correspondence with the Philippine Development Plan. Among the other factors taken into consideration were: Food, Water, and Energy, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Connectivity including Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics, People’s Well-being including Health and Education, Trade and Industry Development Towards Jobs Creation and International Partnerships and Peace, Security, Governance, and Institutions.
The forum, which was realized 10 years after its first conduct, was graced by the strategic international development partners, ambassadors, different government officials, and other agencies representatives to pave the way for generating insights to explore opportunities in building strong partnerships for Mindanao as a safe, peaceful and suitable avenue for investment, business, and opportunities.
Governor Malanyaon, who represented Davao Region’s development council, took part in attending to her role in setting the direction of economic and social transformation in the whole region with the corresponding integration of the priority regional programs and projects in the national investment program and budget which will be aided the national government in its whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ
