An Environmental Governance Training for LGU Department Heads of Aurora and Quezon Provinces was collaboratively organized by Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc., and the Institutes of Environmental Governance (IEG) of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University(DMMMSU). The activity took place from May 21-24, 2024, at the International Convention Center, DMMMSU-NLUC, Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union.

This training is part of Component 2 of the Environmental Justice Sector Reform Program (EJSRP) Phase 3, aimed at enhancing the environmental governance capacities of local government units, particularly in the coastal municipalities of Aurora and Quezon Provinces.

Over fifty (50) LGU officials and department heads attended, including Municipal Council Chairpersons on Environment and Agriculture, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENRO), Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAO), Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDO), Association of Barangay Chairman Presidents, and Sangguniang Bayan Committee Chairs on Environment and Agriculture.

The learning sessions covered a range of crucial topics:

  • Basic concepts of ecology, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
  • Applicable resource management models.
  • Basic environmental law enforcement skills and procedures.

Lawyers from Tanggol Kalikasan provided insights on ordinance and policy drafting, focusing on the DILG Memorandum Circular 2023-012, which guides the enactment and/or updating of municipal/city fisheries ordinances for coastal local government units.


Participants also embarked on a learning tour to several sites, including the Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI), National Apiculture Research, Training, and Development Institute (NARTDI), Bauang Bakawan Eco-Park, and Balaoan Sanitary Landfill. EnP. Charlie Balanon shared LGU Balaoan's solid waste management program, while Dr. Divina Gracia Gonzales Apigo highlighted LGU Bacnotan's coastal resource management initiatives. Mr. Nickson Patrick Tomines discussed the coastal initiatives of Task Force Sagip Karagatan, and Prof. Victoria Malaya, Project Leader of DMMMSU ATBI, showcased the technologies and innovations implemented by the institution.

At the conclusion of the training, participants developed their Area-Specific Action Plans (ASAP) to enhance resource management and protection in their respective areas. The implementation of these ASAPs will be closely monitored and supported by technical experts from the IEGs, ensuring that the plans are effectively executed.
The training was facilitated by the IEG faculty trainers from ASCOT, SLSU, and DMMMSU. The activity is funded by the US Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the US Department of Interior International Technical Assistance Program (USDOI ITAP).

Written by: Elena Derige