ALABEL, Sarangani (March 13, 2023) – The provincial government of Sarangani, through the leadership of Governor Rogelio Pacquiao, continues to strengthen government efforts in the protection and preservation of the bay.
Several marine mammal monitoring, information campaigns for coastal communities, law enforcement to offenders, and other interventions were done by the LGU for many years already.
With the return of the Sarbay Festival this year, the government sees to it that the celebration of the biggest beach festival will serve its purpose of promoting the conservation and protection of the rich Sarangani bay.
It was on March 5, 1996 when then-President Fidel Ramos signed Proclamation 756, establishing Sarangani Bay as a protected seascape, in order to protect and maintain its coastal and marine resources for the benefit of the present and future generations.
In celebration of the 27th Founding Anniversary of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the SBPS Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), held on March 10, the Baybay Awards 2023 and the SBPS Research Colloquium at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City.
The Baybay Awards 2023, SBPS Champion of the Seas is a search and recognition of young individuals, adults, and people’s organizations (POs) who created positive development geared towards the protection, conservation, and preservation of SBPS.
According to DENR-PENRO Elvira Lumayag, the Baybay Awards “recognizes exemplary partners, POs, environmental champions, and private industries who have shown their good track record, achievements, commitments, and efforts that are indeed possible for a harmonious interaction between men and the environment.”
Several private industry partners of the government were given silver and bronze Seals of Good Environmental Practices.
This is an annual recognition of companies surrounding SBPS and will serve as a monitoring scheme of the PAMB-SBPS for companies in compliance with environmental laws.
A science research colloquium was also held “to encourage students and professors from the academe to conduct research in so far as to address the knowledge gap,” said Atty. Felix Alicer, DENR XII regional executive director.
“We need science-based information. This would lead to policy formulation and strengthening of our efforts on how to protect and preserve SBPS,” the director added.
Of the 18 total studies conducted, six winners in the science research colloquium were also awarded Best Poster Presentation and Best Oral Presentation awards.
Alicer also commended the partnership the DENR established with the provincial government of Sarangani in declaring Protected Areas (PAs) and Local Conservation Areas (LCAs) in the province.
“Since this is a ridge-to-reef approach, we’re also in tandem with the provincial government in declaring Mt. Busa as a protected area like Sarangani Bay which I think will happen in the near future,” he said.
Alicer hopes that these awards will inspire more individuals to take part in the whole-of-the-government approach and holistic conservation of the protected seascape. (Jori Mae R. Samillano & photos by Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
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