RP, Sweden team up for coastal management

A joint program in response to the country’s coastal concerns, problems and possible risks was launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Swedish International Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Called Coastal Resource Hazards Management Program, the cooperation aims to improve the knowledge and skills of relevant agencies and institutions on integrated coastal zone planning and management and sustainable use and protection of the coastal resources to minimize or eliminate effects of natural and manmade hazards. In addition, it aims to establish and strengthen the risk consciousness of stakeholders in coastal regions in the country.

For this purpose, a series of capability building activities started last month with a workshop on coastal hazards management (CHM) Workshop at the Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

The activity was participated in by 35 representatives from government units that are involved in coastal and hazards management. They are the DENR, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), local government units (LGUs), and the University of the Philippines’ National Institute for Geology.

The workshop highlighted the importance of promoting multi-sectoral, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approach as well as the roles of the participants and their respective offices in addressing coastal hazards. The discussions and observation/study in a nearby coastal community enabled the participants to come up with recommendations to appropriate agencies and institutions to ensure effective management of coastal resources. Some of these are on proper planning and legislation, effective implementation and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations, intensive information dissemination, strengthened multi-agency cooperation and organizational strengthening.

To ensure that the recommendations can be considered and acted upon, the workshop coordinators/facilitators Messrs. Tim Greenhow and Jim Sandkvist of SSPA Sweden, SIDA and Forester Conrad Bravante Jr., DENR, arranged for their presentation before some officials representating the concerned offices.