Olongapo City – Oct 22 – Following its fourth Provincial Caravan held in La Union, WPS Convenor led by Department of Interior and Local Government continue to reach and echo the national and provincial action plans for the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Now on its fifth leg, the “Bayanihang Adhikain, Bayaning Aksiyon para sa Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas” was held in SMX Convention Center, Olongapo City on October 22, this time hosted by the local government of Olongapo City along with the Institute for Environmental Governance of Central Luzon State University (IEG-CLSU).
Attended by the provincial and local governments of Zambales, the provincial caravan is an important initiative as it continues to aim at provinces within the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This initiative stems from the first national summit on the WPS held in August 2023, which brought together around 500 delegates from various local government units, national agencies, academic institutions, and environmental organizations.
The caravan’s primary focus is to implement and disseminate the national and provincial action plans designed to protect the WPS. The overarching goals are to enhance food security and foster inclusive economic growth across the country. By engaging local communities and stakeholders, the initiative aims to promote sustainable practices and bolster regional resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
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.