SOX PAMBs convene for 3rd Regional Summit

By: DENR XII

General Santos City - The five Protected Area Management Boards (PAMBs) convened for the 3rd Regional PAMB Summit on September 14, 2022 in General Santos City. The said PAMBs represent the five protected areas in the region namely: (1) Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP), (2) Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), (3) Allah Valley Watershed Forest Reserve (AVWFR), (4) Libungan River Watershed Forest Reserve (LRWFR), and (5) Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL).

With the theme “Protected Areas Management Innovations Towards Sustainability,” the summit served as the venue to gain support from the PAMB members and stakeholders in implementing the various programs, projects, and innovative interventions for the protected areas (PAs), as well as the enforcement of environmental laws, especially the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018.

Gracing the said event was Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, CESO III. He emphasized in his message that the preservation of environment is synonymous to the preservation of human life. “We need to make sure that we leave something for the next generations,” he said.

During the summit, PAMB members and stakeholders were updated and capacitated on programs supporting PA development, best practices of some successful PAs, manual on carrying capacity, limits acceptance change, sustainable financing and users’ fee, and ecotourism development and management programs within PAs.

The summit also showcased the different exhibits prepared by the 5 PAMBs. Each featured the characteristics, biodiversity, culture and products of the five PAs. Further, as part of strengthening the linkages among the different stakeholders present, the summit also held a talent contest, where the PAMBs were able to showcase their respective artistic skills and creativity. The representatives of MANP emerged as champion for the contest, followed by SBPS, AVWFR, LRWFR and MMPL.

The event was successfully facilitated by the DENR XII RED Felix S. Alicer, together with different PA Management Offices and key regional officials. The SOCCSKSARGEN Area Development Project Office, headed by Manager Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela was recognized as one of the major sponsors for the event. Also present were Mayors Romeo S. Tamayo (Tupi, South Cotabato) and Pedro M. Matinong (Surallah, South Cotabato) and representatives of other chief executives and congresspersons of the region; and PAMB members from the regional line agencies and concerned barangay local government units. The PA Superintendent of PAMB – Mt. Kitanglad Mountain Range Natural Park and representatives from the Department of Tourism (DOT) XII served as resource persons.