Batac City, Ilocos Norte - Over 180 local government officials from 21 municipalities and 2 cities of Ilocos Norte gathered at Mariano Marcos State University on August 19, 2024, to participate in the second West Philippine Sea (WPS) Provincial Caravan.
The caravan, organized by the WPS Conveners Group, aims to strengthen local efforts to protect the WPS. The event highlighted the importance of implementing the national and provincial action plans developed to safeguard the region.
MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, in her welcome address, emphasized the university's commitment to coastal protection, including research initiatives and coastal erosion mapping. She urged participants to continue their efforts in environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
DILG Undersecretary Serafin Barreto Jr., representing Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., underscored the crucial role of LGUs in effective coastal management and environmental law enforcement. He emphasized that the action plans developed during the national summit reflect the collective aspirations of various sectors and urged for their implementation.
Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos expressed Ilocos Norte's unwavering commitment to the protection of the WPS. The province's action plan, presented during the workshop, outlines concrete steps to address local environmental challenges. The signing of a commitment document by key officials further solidified the province's dedication to this cause. The WPS Hub, an online platform developed by the Conveners Group with support from the RESTORE project, will serve as a vital tool for information sharing and coordination among stakeholders.
This initiative is supported by Tanggol Kalikasan's project, "Restoring the Resources for Economic Sustainability of the West Philippine Sea (RESTORE-WPS)," under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program, facilitated by the Gerry Roxas Foundation.
WPS Convenors Group is led by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Transportation DOTr), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG), Technical Education, and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Institutes of Environmental Governance (IEG) of Batanes State College, University of Northern Philippines, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Pangasinan State University, Central Luzon State University, University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Western Philippine University, and MMSU; and local government offices and units in Ilocos Norte.