[ Manila Bulletin Online ] January 11, 2009
By BEN D. ARCHE
ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL (Igacos) – This city is the first local government unit in the Philippines that was conferred as certified level 2 on Coastal Resource Management (CRM), it was learned yesterday.
The CRM Regional Technical Working Group (CRM-RTWG) recently awarded the citation to city officials during a ceremony held at the Samal Multi-Purpose Gym in Penaplata District here.
CRM certification is patterned after international standards for organizational and environmental management systems (ISO 9000 and ISO 14000).
The CRM-RTWG is composed of different national agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), UP-Mindanao and Ateneo de Davao University.
Emmanuel Isip, DENR 11 regional technical director, said that the system has been developed and tested in response to the interest and commitment expressed by more than 700 coastal mayors to plan, implement and monitor plans and programs for coastal resource management.
He said the basic requirements to achieve the CRM certification include multi-year CRM plan; coastal resource assessment; CRM related organizations formed and active; annual CRM programming and budgeting; and shoreline/foreshore management measures planned and initiated.
"The CRM certification was articulated in a resolution of the League of Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines, calling for enactment/implementation of measures empowering the local government units for integrated coastal management," Isip said.
Igacos achieved the CRM 2nd level certification for the best practices in local legislation, municipal water delineation, coastal zoning, fisheries management, coastal law enforcement, marine protected areas, mangroves management, solid waste management, upland/watershed management, coastal environment-friendly development, revenue generation and multi-institutional collaboration for CRM.
A CRM awardee has competitive advantages and improved public image over non-certified coastal cities and municipalities.
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