Oslob to co-manage Sumilon Island

The officials of the Municipality of Oslob are happy that finally they could manage the world-renowned tourist destination in the south, the Sumilon Island.

This after Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren and Department of Environment and Natural Resources director Leonardo Sibbaluca signed recently signed a memorandum of agreement authorizing the town to co-manage the 29-hectare island, which has been managed by the environment department for years.

Located about 15 minutes away from the mainland via motorized banca, the island is home to the Sumilon Bluewater Resort and a long stretch of white sand beach that have remained unexploited as the public are not allowed into the island without reservations at the resort.

The island has been under the management and control of the national government, through the DENR.

Mayor Guaren expressed delight in finally being able to actively manage the island and ending the feeling of being “strangers in our own territory.” He thanked Garcia for the support, help and “the belief in the Oslobanons’ capabilities to run and manage the island.”

“Managing the island has been a long dream of every Oslobanon because we have been feeling like strangers in our own territory. The feeling has now come to an end because the MOA means we will now run and manage Sumilon Island,” Guaren said.

Under the Local Government Code, LGUs are mandated to share responsibility with the national government, in particular the DENR, in protecting and managing natural resources within their territorial jurisdictions.

In her response, Garcia described the MOA signing as a “shining example of how, out of crisis, we find an opportunity; out of adversity, we are given a challenge to find a better way so that the greater number may be benefited.”

She emphasized the need for working together to achieve a common goal, to harmonize existing laws, ordinances, rules and procedures to come up with a win-win solution.

Sibbaluca said that it is proper for the LGUs to be partner with the DENR in the development, management and protection of the environment and natural resources.

“We run to the LGUs for help in managing natural resources because they are within the area and they have knowledge of their own territories,” Sibbaluca said.

Under the co-management agreement, a steering committee with the mayor as chairman and DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer as co-chairman will formulate and recommend to the Sangguniang Bayan policies that will stimulate sustained community participation and stewardship in the co-managed area consistent with the national laws, rules, and regulations. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)