Zamboanga coastal team study Talibon experience

TALIBON – Sitting right next to probably the country's richest marine bank has its privileges. For one, the people are assured of food supply drawn from the seemingly infinite supply at the Danajon Reef. But beyond that, lies a far greater responsibility of putting in conservation measures that put local officials' wits into a test of wills. Well, they did, and the successful implementation of the coastal resource management (CRM) has brought learning teams from all over the country to hear how Talibon did it and how it is doing.

This week, Illana Bay Regional Alliance 9 Fisheries Law Enforcement (IBRA 9 FLET) composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard drifted here. The team was also joined by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Bureau of Investigation and the Provincial and City police. Along with them also came the Fisheries and Agriculture Modernization Council, Bantay Dagat, Provincial and City Agriculture Offices, IBRA9-Project Management Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and Eco-Gov2 Staff headed by Forester Sherry Sedillo and CENRO Pagadian City .

The coastal law enforcers of Zamboanga del Sur province coasted to this northeastern town hopefully to replicate innovations in governance especially in its coastal law enforcement program. Last June 29, Talibon hosted the 29 visitors who personally pored over the Talibon experience of law enforcement and the cooperative effort it has forged to run the country's best coastal law enforcement program.

Mayor Juanario Item and Vice-Mayor Restituto Auxtero along with SB members and municipal officials joined in the welcome rites for the visiting group. At the welcome ceremonies held at the Carlos P. Garcia session hall, Mayor Item told the visitors that Talibon's success would not have been had local officials been remiss in their jobs. Stressing responsible leadership and participative governance, he said formulating applicable fishery laws would have been impossible. Furthermore, Item added that a town leader's political will also plays an important role. If a leader sees nothing but the good for most constituents, then he would act without hesitation according to the mandates of the national law and municipal ordinances. From them, he should see the good results.

Sharing a personal experience to clarify his point, Item said he gambled his political career just to make the goals achievable. Now, seeing the rewards for good leadership, Item shared how the laws become religiously implemented. On his part, Vice-Mayor Auxtero hinted that Talibon better do it since the town is also the birthplace of the fourth president of the Republic of the Philippines , whom he believed the developments would have made President Carlos P. Garcia proud. Furthermore, Peter Polestico, presented a local situationer through powerpoint.

The presentation took on the results of proper and strict implementation of the formulated municipal ordinances related to Eco-Governance (Eco-Gov), Coastal Resource Management (CRM), Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) and the Forest and Forest Land Management (FFM). A short open forum also ensued after the presentation, then everybody hopped on to the boat awaiting for the guests to experience island adventure. The team also visited different declared Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the Jayvee Beach Resort at Mahaba Islet. Prior to their Talibon visit, the team also talked to Governor Erico Aumentado, who adopted the award-winning Coastal Law Enforcement Council (CLEC) and met with Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) officials before proceeding to Ubay then Talibon. The group is also set to visit the island of Gilutongan in Cordova Cebu.

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