The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 conducted a consultative meeting cum dialogue with the local fisherfolks and beach resort/lot owners in Brgy. Sinogbuhan, San Joaquin recently to address docking issues.

The private beach resort/lot owners told the CENRO team they wanted to establish protection of their lot and to stop further degradation due to soil erosion. Meanwhile, the local fisherfolks are seeking the resort owners’ support by allowing them to dock in portions within their property.

CENRO Guimbal team led by CENR Officer Vicente T. Mellizas suggested they will conduct site inspection and verification to determine the extent of the claimed lot. It will also help them ascertain the area intended for the docking of fishing boats. The suggestion was quite amenable to all parties involved.

A total of sixty-four participants (with 45 males and 19 females) attended the dialogue with the presence of CENR Officer Vicente Mellizas and officials from the barangay and municipal local government units.

“It is part of our duty and responsibility to reach out to the LGUs, assist them in their environmental concerns and guide them to a better decision-making. When we do it in the name of public service and for the good of our environment, we can say that we have delivered what we are here for,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

The municipality of San Joaquin is a recipient of the DENR’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) which aims to effectively reduce the drivers and threats of degradation of the coastal and marine ecosystems. Thus, it can help increase the ability of coastal and marine ecosystems in providing ecological goods and services to the communities where they may be found. The program is also designed to improve the quality of life of people in the coastal areas, ensure food security, and climate change resiliency.

One of CMEMP’s components is the provision of technical assistance. It is the capacity building training received by the DENR personnel who then cascades the technical assistance to the LGUs, other stakeholders, and partners in the field.

“We should protect our coastal and marine resources especially those that have important historical landmarks because we are not only protecting these resources but we also preserve these for the future generations to appreciate, enjoy and be proud of,” said CENRO Vicente T. Mellizas said during the site visit.