DENR-7, private companies ink MOA in its “adopt an estero” program
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 recently signed another memorandum of agreement (MOA) with eight private companies and corporations under its “adopt-an estero or waterbody” program to clean up seven rivers, creeks and esteros in the region.
DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said with the concerted efforts of the DENR and the private sector, the agency intends to institutionalize proper waste management practices such as waste minimization and resource recovery among the estero communities.
The new collaborators that signed the partnership last November 20 at the DENR-7 Training Hall were Aquilini Mactan Renewable Energy Inc., Atlas Fertilizer Corporation, Carmen Copper Corporation, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc., Global Business Power, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Monde Nissin Corporation and the Cebu Industrial Park Developer Inc.
Among the rivers and creeks that are up for restoration and rehabilitation are Butuanon, Tipolo, Buanoy, Arpili, Sapangdaku, Cantabaco Bay, and Luray.
The Linis Estero program of the DENR aims to mobilize adjacent communities and industries to stop illegal dumping of their wastes. It also hopes to maintain proper sanitation to minimize threats to public health and safety.
Montejo also encouraged the public to participate and to take part in cleaning up their nearby river, canal or esteros, in collaboration with their local government officials and partner stakeholders to maintain a clean and pollution free water bodies in the region.
Signing with Montejo and the eight representatives from the various institutions was Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 regional director Fernando Quililan.
With the reported flooding during heavy rains in some urban areas, Montejo added these organizations together with the communities themselves could initiate declogging of trash and other litters on our waterways to ensure unimpeded flow of water and
reduce pollution to the rivers.
As of November 21 this year, the list of partners or adoptors moved up to 22 or an increase of 22 percent of this year’s target of 18.(HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)
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Cebu hosts the first regional forum on migration
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The first Regional Forum on Migration held outside Metro Manila was conducted in Cebu on Nov. 23, 2012 at the Pag-Ibig Auditorium with the theme: “Reintegration and Development: Partnership and Challenges."
The forum marked the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day with the nationwide theme “Strengthening the Partnership between Overseas Filipinos and LGUs Towards Sustainable Development of Communities.”
The same forum also brought together representatives from LGUs, OFWs, members of their families, civil society organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders in the migration process to mainstream the concept of migration and development by sharing experiences and best practices at the LGU level.
This also highlighted the partnership of OFWs and LGUs that help bring about development in communities and in the country, innovative strategies and good practices, identification of challenges, and crafting solutions and ways of moving forward.
In her opening remarks, Carmelita Nuqui of Philippine Migrants Rights Watch said that OFWs have greatly contributed to the country’s economy.
“Our OFWs really contributed a lot to the economic status of the country but their lives as OFWs are not often times easy as there are times in their stay abroad that they will be challenged and they opt to go back home because of some difficult situations they have experienced while working abroad,” Nuqui said.
Nuqui said it is important for the government and other concerned agencies to create initiatives to support OFWs who chose to come home after years of serving abroad.
She also said that reintegration is not that easy as some OFWs really started from nothing although there are several who really found their good fortune abroad and so it is not difficult to start life anew here in the country.
Former OFW and now a successful entrepreneur and businessmen Kenneth Carredo and Dr. Carlito Astillero also relayed their stories of tears and joy abroad as well as their successful reintegration in the country.
Both supported the statement that life abroad is not always milk and honey as they too have their own sad experience of being an OFW.
“First thing that will really make you sad is your family, you will always think of them and long to be by their side,” Carredo said.
Carredo and Astillero then lauded government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and local government units for giving them aid for them to be successful in their reintegration.
Both Carredo and Astillero were given financial aid by the POEA and OWWA for them to start their own business.
Several talks during the forum include Best Practices of Mainstreaming Migration and Development by the Local Government; Experiences in Reintegration to the Philippines and Success Stories of Overseas Filipinos; and the Role of Civil Society in Migration and Development which were discussed by individuals fit to tackle such topics. (rmn/AYS/PIA,CEBU)