Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
Volume II, No. 29
web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com Saturday-Sunday OCTOber 25-26, 2014
In biodiversity conservation
P10.00
Environment dept. wants for LGUs ‘much bigger role’ T
More mining companies interested to invest in Agusan Sur
he Department of Environment a n d Na tu r a l Resources (DENR) is hosting a two-day national conference for some local government units (LGUs) to prepare them for a much bigger role in biodiversity conservation.
By DAVID M. SUYAO AGUSAN del Sur - Another foreign investor and is already a holder of exploration permit has presented its plan to the Agusan del Sur Environment and Sustainable Development Council (ASESDC) signifying that if the exploration will go on smoothly, another mining firm will be established in Bunawan and Rosario areas. On the same day, October 21, 2014, the Adnama Mining Resource Inc. (AMRI) also sent a letter and a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding to Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza offering free of charge study and actual survey of the Agusan River upon hearing an information that Agusan del Sur is planning of dredging and de-silting the Agusan River. In a presentation of
Pink Sand - A group of Sama-Bangingi folks living near the famous pink sand beach (photographed 21 October 2014) in Sta. Cruz Island off Zamboanga City are worried that the community-based eco-tourism project being pushed by the Department of Tourism may go to waste if residents will be ejected because they still don’t have land title issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. MindaNews photo
Residents near pink sand beach worried over eco-tourism project if they don’t get land title By Mindanews
the famous beach with pink sands, as an eco-tourism project is being introduced while they still don’t have a title of a parcel of land care of the National Commis-
sion on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). The Department of Tourism has recently identified the area as a priority for a community-based
eco-tourism project (CBEP), supposedly to benefit 82 Sama-Bangingi families livZAMBOANGA City – A ing one lagoon away from a tribal leader here said they beachfront with pink sands. fear for their homes in Little According to Salasain See mining, page 7 Sta. Cruz Island, home of Olay Julhani, who leads a tribe of around 300 Sama Bangingi in the community, tourism is not new to the residents of the 1,877-hectare island five nautical miles from mainland Zamboanga City. Julhani said, however, that without a title that legitimizes their residency in the area, the project could go to waste since the government could remove them from the area any time. “We have been asking the [NCIP] for a title for a small property,” the tribal community leader said. “It’s not just for one individual or one family. The entire community will benefit,” he pointed out. Julhani said the claim 1st Governor Cup - (siting second row) Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano and Vice Governor Joey G. amounted to nine hectares, Pelaez (sitting 4th from right), together with Provincial Board Members Nancy Madjos (sitting 2nd from right) and Mercy Grace Acain, Boris Olivier Actub, Heckert Emano and Mario Emano (not in photo) joined the Provincial Gov- for a property he claims ernor during the start of the 1st Governor Bambi Emano Cup in Barangay Tawan-tawan, Initao, Misamis Oriental. their families have lived in (From
the
FB Account Of Governor Bambi Emano)
See beach, page 7
The National Conference on Local Conservation Areas, hold at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Pasig City on October 23-24, will address the theme “Diversifying and Strengthening Participatory Governance in Biodiversity Conservation.” DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said the agency’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) will bring together representatives from LGUs and key conservation groups in a bid to develop more effective operative models for the establishment of local conservation areas (LCAs) and critical habitats. The environment chief said the conference will also pay tribute to LGUs and their leaders who have exhibited good practice in managing conservation areas, and are willing to share their experiences for other LGUs to emulate. “The conference is a big boost to biodiversity conservation as we intend to produce more LGUs recognizing that an umbilical cord exists between their local economy and the health of their ecosystems,” Paje said.During the conference, case studies on the challenges and opportunities in conservation of key biodiversity areas is presented, highlighting current and future initiatives in LCAs. A wide-ranging discussion on the issues of tourism, incentives to LGUs to take proactive roles in biodiversity conservation, and biodiversity-friendly practices in agriculture and fisheries is been discussed. Graces the event include senior officials from the See role, page 7
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