The Local Government of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur’s entry entitled “Sagip-Wakatan Program: Kwentong KLIMA-likasan ng Bayabas, Surigao del Sur”, under the leadership of Mayor Maria Clarita G. Limbaro, bagged the 3rd place in the recently concluded Mga Kwentong KLIMA-likasan Tungo sa Katatagan: A Climate and Disaster Resiliency Recognition Awards spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The national awarding was virtually conducted last July 2, 2021.
LGU Bayabas’ Sagip-Wakatan Program, which was initially started in 2008, was branded as one of the outstanding implementations of DSWD Field Office Caraga’s Risk Resiliency Program-Climate Change and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM). It is a mangrove conservation initiative adopted through the LGU’s environmental initiatives (later on developed under the RRP-CCAM Program). It is the LGU’s annual mangrove reforestation, replanting, and coastal cleanup program which involves the participation of the different sectors in the community. According to Mayor Limbaro, the program started as an intensive education campaign about the importance of mangrove to the ecosystem. Consequently, they were able to establish mangrove nurseries in the 5 coastal barangays.
In the hope of inculcating the importance of building a resilient community, Mayor Limbaro underscored that it takes a common understanding on the importance of environment protection and conservation to make a massive action possible.
“The conservation and the protection of the environment is not just a thing for the government but for every citizen. In that way, people can have a deeper sense of shared responsibility to it” Mayor Limbaro stated during the interview.
Meanwhile, the LGU of Botolan, Zambales was hailed as the winner of the recognition awards, while Engr. Reynaldo S. Gonzales from the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, Zamboanga City won 2nd place.
