Ronda gets P10M for coastal management

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipality of Ronda, Cebu got P10 million grant for the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project funded by the Asian Development Bank.

Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III said they will use the grant for the construction and rehabilitation of the municipal wharf which is estimated to cost P20 million.

The local government unit is required to put up a 10 percent equity amounting to P2 million and apply for a loan amounting to P8 million representing 40 percent of the total project cost.

Blanco said they have already complied with the requirements of the project and are just waiting for the approval of the loan facilitated by ICRMP.

Once the project is completed, Blanco hopes to see improvements in the services of the wharf serving Ronda-La Libertad in Negros Oriental route.

“If there is a rehabilitation, daku ang chance maka-cater ta og Roro vessels,” he said.

Ronda is one of the 26 local government units in Central Visayas covered by ICRMP.

The other LGUs in Cebu are Alcantara, Alcoy, Aloguinsan, Alegria, Argao, Barili, Boljoon, Badian, Carmen, Cordova, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Lapulapu City, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Samboan, San Remegio, Santa Fe and Tabogon.

The ICRMP operates in the provinces of Cebu and Siquijor. The total coastline area of Cebu province is 1,081.984 kilometers while Siquijor province is 100.88 kilometers.

The ICRMP has four project components, namely: policy and institutional strengthening and development; ICRM and biodiversity conservation; enterprise development and income diversification; and social and environment services and facilities.

It is a national program funded by the ADB and facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as lead agency.

It is being supported by other national agencies like Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic Development Authority, and Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Management in partnership with local government units.    - (THE FREEMAN)