Partners meet again

INABANGA – The Fish Trade Industry Project partners met here anew for the monitoring and assessment visit of Dr. Richard Kaguamba, representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), one of the sponsors of the Marine Aquarium Market Transformation Initiative (MAMTI) Project. Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member and Coastal Resource Management (CRM) action officer Francisco Alesna Jr thanked Kaguamba and the other project partners for improving the ornamental fish collection methods of local fishermen to make their product competitive in the world market.

Arun Abraham, Asia-Pacific director of the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) said Kaguamba wants to learn first-hand about the local aquarium trade. As one of the major sponsors, he said the IFC representative wants to monitor the activities and flow of implementation of the project. A first-time visitor-partner in Inabanga, Kaguamba was impressed with the partnership. He is confident of the sustainability of the project even after the exit of the MAC because he saw the interest and commitment shown by the local government unit (LGU).

The administration of Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy pushes for a balanced social economic and environmental development – now gradually being realized. Jumamoy emphasized the importance of governance as the key to change for a brighter future. She expressed assurance that her administration will continue to proactively support and partner in the activities of MAC, Reef Check and CCIF. Kaguamba's group also met meet with the Coastal Resource Management-Technical Working Group (CRM-TWG) and a representative of the First Consolidated Bank (FCB) at the SB Session Hall, as well as the fish collectors and the MAMTI Project beneficiaries who had availed of loans.

Kaguamba also snorkeled in one of the collection areas to see for himself the collecting process using legal and sustainable methods such as the sibat, barrier net and spear gun. Felipe Ramero, MAC country director, Stuart Green and Gregor Hudgson of Reef Check, Dennis Rapoza of the Conservation Community Investment Forum CCIF and the rest of the SB members also attended the forum.

Pentium 2 PCs distributed

INABANGA – The First Consolidated Bank (FCB) in cooperation with the local government unit (LGU) here recently turned over two sets of computers to the Dagnawan Elementary School. Through its computer capability program for public schools, FCB Manager for Public Relations Dionisio Baseleres turned over the IBM Pentium II computer units.

Baseleres expressed gratitude for the good partnership the Jumamoy administration for accepting their project. He said the partnership greatly helped to it success. Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy who had an equally important appointment sent Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members Wenceslao Lao and Doroteo Torrefranca in her stead. Lao told the schoolchildren that the Jumamoy administration, the parents and non-government organizations like FCB have a common goal – giving them a bright future.

He said they can make their dreams come true. He encouraged them to reach out for their dreams. He also assured them that the Jumamoy administration, together with the parents and NGOs will always rally behind them to prepare them for the future. Gumersinda Babida, school-in-charge, expressed gratitude in behalf of the teachers, students and parents of the recipient school. She said the school will maximize the use of the computers.

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