Albay, DENR launch coastal management program vs climate change

MANILA, Philippines – Albay has launched a sustainable ecosystem management program with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mitigate the impact of climate change in the province.  

The Albay-DENR partnership agreement was signed in mid-April, providing for the establishment of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP).

The program will initially cover the municipalities of Oas, Libon, Pioduran and Ligao City, all in the west coast of the province.

It will include a livelihood component to be managed by people’s organizations.

Under the agreement, Albay and DENR will donate P100,000 to each of the four municipalities for the livelihood of the people, especially hog, goat and poultry raising, marketing and production, and fishing.

A 30-foot fiber glass boat with 16HP engine and P40,000 worth of gasoline was also donated to each of the four municipalities, for use in surveillance and enforcement of environment laws.

In a statement, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said SCREMP aims to promote sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, including biodiversity, through habitat protection, conservation and rehabilitation.

The program also aims to raise public awareness and social and environmental consciousness on the value of coral reefs, and associated coastal and marine ecosystems to mitigate the impact of climate change.