Capitol, DENR officials ink MOA for "EcoGov2" project

Governor Gwen Garcia, and regional officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently signed a memorandum of agreement to implement the second phase of the environmental governance project, also known as EcoGov2.

EcoGov2, which runs until September 2009, is a technical assistance grant to the Philippines funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

Garcia, DENR regional director Celso Loriega Jr, and EcoGov2 regional coordinator May Elizabeth Ybañez have signed the MOA enforcing technical aid and support services to towns and cities in the province for forests, coastal resources, and solid waste management.

Under the project, Capitol will create a technical working group and secretariat for the planning, implementation and monitoring of activities, including regular meetings, as stipulated in the MOA.

The provincial information office said the governor will be the project chairman, with the provincial environment and natural resources officer as co-chairman.

Representatives from DENR, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Information Agency, participating local government units, people's organizations and non-governmental organizations for forestlands and marine sanctuary will be parts of the group.

The project will enhance Capitol's moves to establish a common waste disposal facility, such as the proposed sanitary landfill in Danao City, serving a cluster of local governments in the northern part of Cebu.

The government agencies involved in EcoGov2 are also obliged to assist the province in developing investment plans and pre-feasibility analyses, along with mobilizing investments to finance solid waste management activities.

EcoGov2 will also involve the conduct of social marketing campaigns for better understanding, appreciation and compliance with solid waste management law, plus a series of training of key staffs on the matter. - Cristina C. Birondo