By Mike U. Crismundo
SURIGAO CITY – With the objective of saving the mountain landmark from environmental deterioration, local government unit officials (LGUs), forest specialists and other stakeholders have agreed to jointly manage and protect the 2,820.99-hectare Sambunotan Watershed in the province of Dinagat Islands (PDI).
FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN
The LGUs also agreed to put an end to the old political feud and instead join hands in saving and protecting the mountain landmark in the island province.
To give more teeth to their commitment, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office led by PENR Officer Agapito T. Patubo, Loreto town Mayor Doandre Bill A. Ladaga and Tubajon town mayor Simplicia P. Pedrablanca led the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the protection and preservation and mitigating measures for the further deterioration of the Sambunotan Watershed.
DENR 13 Regional executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer and PDI Governor Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, have both stood witness in the MOU.
The signing of the MOU highlighted the seventh foundation anniversary of PENRO in Dinagat Islands
"It was a wise decision for both local leaders to agree in partnership with each other with the PENRO in their midst in the management of the Sambunotan Watershed to save and protect its natural resources," stressed RED Alicer.
On the other hand, PENRO Patubo lauded the effort of the Dinagat Islands government for its continuing support to the DENR programs and other environmental concerns in the province.
"We have a commitment to the people to reach and serve them according to the mandate given us by our DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu,” PENR Officer Patubo said.
He said Barangay Mabini is a strategic place for the satellite office of the DENR so that the government can effectively service the people in the towns of Loreto, Tubajon and Libjo.
Sambunotan watershed is considered a critical watershed that provide potable waters in the six barangays of Mabini, Diaz, Roxas, San Roque, Sta. Cruz and Sta. Vicente in Tubajon.
Both Loreto and Tubajon towns benefit from the waters it provide for irrigation and drinking water purposes.
The DENR, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Agriculture had established a National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development selecting the Sambunotan Watershed as a pilot site.
Meanwhile, Bag-ao made a commitment during the MOU signing for full support in all environmental preservation and protection of the province.
The province has a vast bonsai forest and some scientists discovered a stick insect which could be unique to Dinagat, besides the province is also ideal for fishing and its surrounding marine environment is rich in biological diversity.
It is also home to unique species of endemic wildlife, such as rodents, tarsiers and several bird species.
In 2006, the Mount Redondo and Mount Kambinliw—were declared as key biodiversity areas (KBAs), and became part of the 117 KBAs under the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priority-Setting Program.