…biggest challenge for all of us, is to make environment a concern to all…
She informed everybody that she had just launched yesterday the Environmental Citizenship Program led by the LGU of San Fernando La Union, the first in the world, and related it to the essence of eco governance that each of us, as a government official should fully understand the responsibility in caring the environment. She stressed that the Environmental Citizenship Program goes beyond the work and really goes to the commitment of the individual, “How can I be a responsible citizen of this world? How can I really be a true steward of God’s creation?” In La Union, they do “otso-otso” pledge, wherein the government prescribed eight (8) pledges while eight (8) were personal choices of the individual on what she/he wants to do to be a responsible citizen.
Secretary stressed the biggest challenge for all of us, is how to make environment a concern to all. “We could start doing this, if in our day to day lives, we integrated and do things in on environmentally sound manner”.
She informed everybody that the reason for the change of venue from Region 10 to Caraga Region is the proposed Mindanao-wide Press and Labor Conference, which were supposed to be conducted at 8:30 A.M. today here in Butuan. She also stated that the main purpose of the mancon is to “take a look on what we have done so far for the last one year and two months and what are the priority things that we can focus for the next few months” under her administration and to highlight some key issues that are lacking in the agency’s delivery of service.
In response to the concerns raised by Vice Governor Tejano, she emphasized the following:
Livelihood for Upland and Coastal
- Secretary stressed that in her 18 months in service it is part of her priority to see to it that livelihood projects in the upland and coastal communities are be provided.
- Some rational CBFM utilization are allowed since she recognized the fact that the agency could properly manage the forest with the people’s help and this could only be realized if they could also benefit from it.
- She accepted the fact that the Department lacked implementation of more livelihood projects, hence she made sure that more viable livelihood projects would be implemented with micro-financing to make them sustainable. For now, the agency has targeted 100 CBFMA with livelihood assistance out of 4,900 sites. Although it’s few, she hoped by starting the process, the agency would be able to engage other partners to step in and help in this effort.
One-Stop-Shop for Land Titling
- One is already in Cotabato City and hope to replicate it in all provinces.
- This is a project which City Assessors, Land Registration and other offices, which has role to play in basic Land Administration and Management, work together in one place to hasten issuance of titles.
One-Stop- Shop for Mining Permits
- One area where all maps/data are integrated. We hope to have this strategy implemented.
Integrated Database of all Issued Tenurial Instruments
- Only Region 11 has made it. Secretary hoped that all regions would do the same.
Lastly, she emphasized that “we should all work together so that we could improve our delivery of services.”