The Province of Guimaras and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 6 have forged a partnership for the water classification of Cabano River and ambient air quality monitoring.
The Provincial Government of Guimaras represented by Governor Samuel T. Gumarin has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Dr. Sophie T. Manuel, CESO V of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region VI on April 2, 2019 at StarGazer Inn, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
DENR, through EMB was mandated by Republic Act 9275 titled “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Water Quality Management and for other Purposes”, also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and Republic Act 8749 known as the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999” to identify all other measures necessary for the effective control and abatement of air and water pollution and include control strategies and control measures to be undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collection action, and environmental education and information.
Governor Samuel T. Gumarin cited that this deal of the province is in line with its life-long vision along with the recently approved Provincial Ordinance 2018-06 known as ICM ordinance of the Province of Guimaras.
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“This program is in line with our vision “Guimaras is the Agri-Tourism Capital of the region with empowered, self-reliant and healthy families enjoying a progressive economy which is anchored on the principles of sustainable development. We have the Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-06 known as the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) of the province with a policy framework that is aligned with international standards which aims to strengthen governance and in addressing aspects of sustainable development specifically pollution reduction and waste management,” Governor Gumarin said.
“We have three major water sheds namely, Sibunag River, Cabano and Mantangingi River water shed but only Sibunag River water shed has been classified with the assistance from DENR and now we have the Cabano river to be classified to know the water quality of the river and how we going to utilized and protect for the future generation, for air, we have designated air sheds in the province,” he added.
The said program aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize air and water pollution through a multi-sectoral participatory approach involving all the stakeholders.
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act, with the support of other government organizations, local government units, non -government organizations and the private sector.
Moreover, Dr. Sophie T. Manuel, CESO V of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) expressed her gratitude to the Province of Guimaras for coming up with the MOA.
“Thank you for coming up of this memorandum of agreement, this is a rare MOA kasi dun sa classification kasama na ang ambient air at saka ang water classification, makikita mo talaga na ang commitment ng province for the protection of the environment ay malaki,” she said.
