Governor forms Tañon Strait committee

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has formed an executive committee that will manage issues regarding the Tañon Strait during their session last Tuesday.

Garcia agreed with the 24 mayors from the concerned municipalities the creation of the body and to consolidate management plans established by each municipality.

During the meeting, it was agreed that they would hold any actions on the creation of Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Tañon Strait until all concerned local government units approved it.

However, the governor received complaint from some mayors that what they have tackled in the last meeting was not followed.

It was reported that Special Agreements for Protected Areas (SAPAs) was reached during a meeting last April 26 in Toledo City called by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7.

But DENR-7 technical director Didi Milanan said that there was actually no issuance of SAPAs during the meeting in Toledo City.

Garcia said she was disappointed with the misunderstanding that occurred within the committee, which prompted her to form the Cebu-side executive committee for Tañon Strait. — Sarah Jane A. Nengasca and Grace C. Guiang/LPM (THE FREEMAN)