DENR, DILG ink MOA with six Leyte LGUs on co-management of natural resources

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
April 6, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed on April 7, 2011 (Thursday) between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and six coastal local government units in the western side of Leyte on co-management of natural resources in the area.

It was learned that the six LGUs – Baybay City, and the towns of Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan and Matalom had formed an Integrated Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (IMFARMC) to administer laws in proper management of natural resources within their boundaries.

They sought to harness support from the above-mentioned offices in order to fully implement the provisions of Joint Memorandum Circular 98-01 of DENR and DILG, as well as DENR Department Order No 92-30 which provided guidelines on transfer and Implementation of DENR functions devolved to LGUs as mandated in the Local Government Code.  LGUs now share with the DENR the responsibility in sustainable management and development of the environment and natural resources within their territories.

Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari will host the gathering to be held at the city Legislative Building at 8 o’clock in the morning, which will feature pledges of commitment from the mayors of the concerned municipalities and the president of Visayas State University, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo.

Messages of support are expected from Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, DENR Regional Executive Director Primitivo Galinato Jr. and DILG Regional Director Francisco C. Jose.  Leyte 5th district congressman Jose Carlos L. Cari is likewise slated to address the activity.