LANAO DEL SUR (March 18, 2021) – Through its Environment Management Services (EMS), the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM held on March 16-17, 2021 an initial ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing of the Adopt-an-Estero program with estero partners in Amai Manabilang and Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
The estero partners who signed the MOA with MENRE include the Farmers Producer Cooperative, Mt. Kalatungan Agri-Ventures, Inc., Wao Development Corporation, and Bushra Base Command Marketing Cooperative.
The EMS, led by Director Jalani M. Pamlian, and the Provincial and Community ENR Offices of Lanao del Sur, led by PENRE Officer Asmarie Labao, urge the private sectors and the Local Government Units to strengthen their collaboration with the communities residing near the esteros.
They aim to encourage the communities’ participation in the cleaning of the creeks and rivers, particularly the Maguing-Taraka that runs through the Lanao Lake River Basin.
“As part of our mandate, the Ministry will provide technical assistance to all LGUs in their environmental programs. One of these is the Adopt-an-Estero program which we should give attention to and work for its successful implementation,” Forester Labao, said.
On March 16, Tuesday, the MENRE also conducted a site inspection in Mt. Kalatungan Agri-Ventures, Inc. and Wao Development Corporation to validate their compliance to the environmental laws, particularly their compliance to PD 1586 or the Environmental Impact Statement System; PD 984 or the Pollution Control Law; RA 9275 otherwise known as The Philippine Clean Water Act; RA 8749 or The Clean Air Act; RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act; and RA 6969 or the Toxic Wastes and Hazardous Waste and Nuclear.
Lanao del Sur furthers environmental activities
The Provincial ENRE Office, and Community ENRE Office of Lanao del Sur 1st District, led by CENRE Officer Asnawi A. Dataman, also organized on March 17 a tree planting activity along Taraka river, one of the targeted water bodies to be included in the Adopt-an-Estero program of MENRE.
One hundred bamboo seedlings were successfully planted during the activity, participated by officials and employees from the EMS, and the MENRE provincial offices in Lanao del Sur.
On the same day, in the Municipality of Maguing, Director Pamlian led the closure of an open dumpsite in compliance with the order of DENR National to close all open dumpsites in all regions for violating the RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Maguing Mayor Fahad Mulok supports the mandates of the ENRE Ministry and says that the LGU will continue to implement activities that will benefit the environment of the province.
