DAVAO ORIENTAL — To ensure sustaining Davao Oriental’s coasts and shores amid the growing establishment of various industries, particularly those that are related to tourism, the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are set to implement the Foreshore Development and Management Plan of Davao Oriental.
Through the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) held earlier today, the provincial Local Government Unit and the DENR cemented its partnership for the implementation of the plan which bids to effectively manage the foreshore areas and coastal zones of the province.
DENR Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco congratulated the province of Davao Oriental as it is touted to be the first province in the Davao region where the program is set to be implemented.
RED Evasco said the Foreshore Development Program aims to protect Davao Oriental’s shorelines amid its booming tourism industry even in the middle of the pandemic. He said among the reason why Davao Oriental was chosen to pilot the plan implementation was the fact that it has become a favorite weekend getaway of tourists from nearby provinces and cities because of its captivating landscapes fringed with beautiful shorelines and pristine beaches, thereby, making it vulnerable to threats of environmental degradation and pollution.
“We will not allow Davao Oriental’s coasts to become like other resorts in the country that are experiencing an uncontrollable influx of tourists that in turn compromise the environment and natural resources,” he said, noting the limited carrying capacity of the foreshore areas.
RED Evasco said that through the plan implementation, proper guidelines will be provided to resort owners and settlers, particularly on the establishment of buildings, thus, regulating the mushrooming of private tourism facilities, among others.
For the plan’s implementation, RED Evasco said that the DENR will oversee environmental protection through existing environmental laws while the provincial local government unit will oversee management, particularly in terms of solid waste management, water quality management, and other environmental concerns for the preservation of the oceans and marine ecosystem.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Alberto Bandiola said that the implementation of the plan will address many pressing issues involving the foreshore areas.
“Through the plan, we will be able to align plans based on the existing regulations. Moreover, it will also be a venue to effectively manage our resources. It’s just a matter of putting the place in its proper perspective,” he said, adding that through the plan, local government units will be enjoined to adopt these policies and guidelines in their respective plans such as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
For his part, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said the plan implementation is timely since the province is now being frequented by many tourists. “Despite the fact that we are in the time of the pandemic, many tourists still visit our province. How much more when this pandemic is over. So, this is the right time to start protecting what we have. This is indeed a great Christmas gift for the people of the province of Davao Oriental,” said the Governor as he thanked the DENR for coming up with a plan that will preserve the beauty of Davao Oriental for the next generation.
The province of Davao Oriental which is considered Mindanao’s Gateway to the Pacific has a total of 513.2 kilometers of coastline — the longest in the Davao Region and one of the longest stretches of coastline in the country. Its territorial waters cover over 5,400 square kilometers with coral reef and mangrove areas of over 340 and 1,820 hectares respectively. By Karen Lou Deloso/Photos Courtesy of PENRO and Mr. Eden Jhan Licayan
