1st Biodiversity Mainstreaming to CLUP Writeshop conducted

by Gilbert P. Leopoldo

LMDA – BPP Project conducted 1^st Biodiversity Mainstreaming to CLUP Writeshop at Balangahai Hotel & Convention Center, Butuan City on February 6-8, 2013. Attended the Writeshop were the different Government Line Agencies such as HLURB, PAG-ASA, DENR, DOT, DTI, BFAR, DA, NEDA, RedCross, NCIP (Agusan Norte & Surigao Norte), NIA, EMB and MGB together with the PPDOs, Provincial Agriculturists, LMDA Deputy Director of the province of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte and MPDOs, MAs and LMDA Action Officers of Mainit, Tubod, Sison , Alegria,Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago and Tubay.
The activity was spearheaded by LMDA, the BPP responsible partner and the DENR Caraga XIII, the BPP Implementing Partner headed by RTD Eludo. The said occasion was facilitated in partnership with BPP Project Team from PMU headed by Project Manager Jose M. Regunay together with the BPP CLUP Technical Specialist Jay Siasoco.

Mr. Rofel Cabaltera, the PPDC of Agusan del Norte warmly acknowledged the presence of the GLAs and visitors on the first day of the writeshop. He then gave an inspirational message saying that “Lake Mainit is Everyone’s Treasures and that everyone is blessed of this God Given Treasure that we always proud of”.

RTD Eludo gave a message and a backgrounder about the writeshop and presented some highlights and points to ponder to the participants. In a message, he was grateful that everyone responded the invitations. He elaborated that the BD Mainstreaming to CLUP writeshop is significant step to reach a goal that is to achieve in conserving and protecting toward the sustainability of the Lake Mainit.

Mr. Barillo, the BPP Project Coordinator gave the rationale of the three-day writeshop which generally aims to mainstreamed biodiversity to CLUP of LGUs. He presented the objectives and outputs with hope that participants would actively participate and cooperate throughout the writeshop. Mr. Regunay, the BPP Project Manager presented the BD Mainstreaming Points, Workshop Format and explained different sample maps as guide in the Writeshop.

The 1^st day was the presentation from different Government Line Agencies (GLA) regarding its recent programs implemented especially on Lake Mainit areas. GLAs presentations were significant since it provided important data that would be included in the CLUP. Agencies that made presentation were the following:

1. EMB, presented by Engr. Renato Tacubao, OIC Water Quality Section
2. NCIP, presented by Elvira G. Catuburan, Chief TMSD NCIP Region XIII
3. NIA, presented by Engr. Anita C. Matadling
4. MGB,  presented by Engr. Noli Arezza
5. RedCross, presented by Elle Fernandez
6. PAG-ASA, presented by Lolita I. Vinalay, Chief Meteorological Officer
7. DOT, presented by Leo P. Gerona

The 2^nd day was the workshop proper and a presentation of Mr. Regunay about Biodiversity Mainstreaming Points and guides. He was assisted by Jay Siasoco who presented the e-copies to the LGUs the BD Workshop Formats and sample guide maps that would be useful in the Writeshop.

The 3^rd day was the presentation of draft CLUP outputs by municipal teams. The workshop outputs presented were scrutinized and supplied with comments and suggestions from GLAs. Mr. Regunay also gave some final comments and suggestions in order to refine the draft CLUP outputs with mainstreamed BD. However due to the time and data constraints, the LGUs who presented the workshop outputs were the following:

1. Municipality of Mainit, presented by Virgintina Garrido, Municipal Agriculturist
2. Municipality of Alegria, presented by Edipolo Mosquito, MPDC
3. Municipality of Kitcharao, presented by Roberto Calubag, PDO-I
4.  Municipality of Tubod, presented by Hon. Eludo, Sangguniang Bayan Member

Mr. Regunay advised the LGU participants to enhance further the draft CLUP with ready data for its final completion. On the action planning, the participating teams from LGUs agreed to have the 2^nd BPP Writeshop on March 5-6, 2013 to be held at Philippine Gateway Hotel, Surigao City. The activity culminated with the closing message of Mr. Arturo M. Cruje, the PPDC of Surigao del Norte and the Acting LMDA Director.