La Union sets protected area

MANILA, Philippines - Chevron Philippines Inc., marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, and Caltex Foundation recently signed a quadpartite memorandum of agreement with the city government of San Fernando and the Institute of Social Order (ISO) to develop a 173-hectare marine protected area in Chevron’s host community of San Fernando, La Union. 

Chevron, through the Caltex Foundation, is contributing P7.2 million to this five-year project while in-kind leverage worth P4 million will come from ISO and the city government of San Fernando to cover staff, operational materials and other industrial services. 

“We envision that our city waters will become a premier tourist marine park through this project. With Chevron and ISO, we can help our 14 coastal barangays preserve their diverse ecosystem,” said City Mayor Pablo Ortega during the signing of the memorandum of agreement.

Also present at the signing were ISO executive director Liza Lim, Chevron Philippines country chair Peter Morris, Chevron manager for policy government and public affairs Raissa Bautista, ISO associate director Emmeline Ceñas, and San Fernando City environment and natural resources officer Valmar Valdez.