Pagadian City - Zamboanga Del Sur News and Information

THE PROJECT Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) in coordination with the Project Development Investment Programming and Budgeting Division of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office IX conducted field inspection

of Tabina Enhanced Environmental Project in Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur last July 14, 2010. The project is being funded thru the NEDA Productivity Enhancement Program/Kennedy Round 2 (KR2).  The said project costing PhP 1,768,000 is being implemented by the local government unit (LGU) of Tabina.

It seeks to address concerns on the Coastal Resource Management Plan, primarily in contributing to the effective and efficient management of coastal resources and reduce poverty incidence by increasing productivity and income of local fishermen through enhancement of sustainable use and management of coastal resources. The monitoring team was accompanied by the Coastal Resources Management Officer and KR2 Coordinator of Tabina, Mr. Octavio C. Arsenal.

The project components covered by the team include the Mangrove Reforestation located at Barangay Malin, Sitio Tanbulian and the Marine Sanctuaries Establishment/Expansion located at Barangay Baganian.

The monitoring team observed that the Mangrove Reforestation project is still on-going. The team also saw the six hectares of newly established mangrove plantation. The 15 hectares targeted for mangrove rehabilitation in Barangays Sto. Domingo, Tamingo, Abong-Abong and Baganian were in their completion stage. Meanwhile, a one kilometer marker buoys about 250 meters away from the shoreline were already placed for the Marine Sanctuaries Establishment/Expansion project.

Areas within these markers are considered marine sanctuary for the different marine species that are restricted for fishing. It was observed that corals and other marine life like starfish, sea urchins, crabs and seaweeds were already growing back, a positive indication that the desired impact of the project is taking place due to efficient project implementation.

The project beneficiaries serve as “watchers” to protect the marine sanctuary from possible threats. The LGU of Tabina is grateful to entities that are supporting this type of project that provides livelihood opportunities to local residents. The project also supports the LGU initiative of protecting its municipal waters from exploitation and abuse of fishermen who resort to dynamite fishing and other illegal activities for their livelihood. – BROUGHT TO YOU BY PAGADIAN EXPRESS