Photos: ICM Site Visit of Tangerang Delegation in Cavite Province

 

Mr. A. Zaki Iskandar, Regent of Tangerang Regency in Banten Province, Indonesia and Vice President of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) together with key officials visited the province of Cavite, one of PEMSEA’s ICM (integrated coastal management) sites in the Philippines on July 19, 2022 to learn some of the good practices in ICM program implementation in the province. Cavite Province showcased some of its efforts in habitat conservation and protection, and solid and plastic waste management.

 

Both Tangerang Regency and Cavite Province are highly urbanized areas and located next to capital cities, i.e., Jakarta and Metro Manila. In 2020, Tangerang has a population of 3.9 million while Cavite has 4.3 million. With similar geographic location and demographic situation, both areas face parallel issues such as plastics and other types of wastes, water pollution, water scarcity, among others, due to increasing population and rapid urbanization.

 

The site visit provided an opportunity for Cavite and Tangerang to share and learn from each other’s experiences in ICM program implementation, as well as foster stronger relations among committed leaders of the PNLG.

 

Photos from this trip are below:

 

 

1) Led by Mr. A. Zaki Iskandar, Regent of Tangerang Regency and Vice President of the PEMSEA Network of Local Government (PNLG), the delegation from Tangerang, Indonesia started off the study visit in Cavite Province on July 19, 2022 through a courtesy call to Hon. Juanito Victor Remulla, Jr., Governor of the Province of Cavite.  

 

 

2) Ms. Anabelle Cayabyab, Head of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) sharing the implementation of the ICM (integrated coastal management) program in the province of Cavite from its initiation in 2004.

 

 

3) Held at the Pawikan Conservatory Center in Naic, Mr. Roger Bilugan, Barangay (Brgy.) Capt. and the officials of Brgy. Labac shared their efforts in the conservation and protection of the Olive ridley sea turtle in partnership with the municipal and provincial governments, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), NGOs, private sector, academe and other institutions.

 

 

4) Together with other municipal officials, Hon. Lamberto Bambao, Mayor of Ternate welcomed the delegation of Tangerang at the Municipal Hall of Ternate.

 

 

5) DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Cavite outlined the activities in the establishment and implementation of the locally managed marine protected area (MPA) in Ternate and led the delegation to a visit to the MPA site.

 

 

6) Barangay Capt. Jonathan Llamado together with the Municipal Environment and Natural Office (MENRO) and officials of Brgy. Palocpoc 2 proudly shared their nationally recognized effort in solid/plastic waste management in Mendez-Nuἠez, Cavite.

 

 

7) Capt. Norelyn Parra together with other barangay officials showcased their various solid waste management programs in Brgy. San Jose in Tagaytay City.

 

 

8) On 20 July the delegation visited the Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park.Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, Jr., Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Capital Region (NCR), and Ms. Aleine Marie Miranda, Protected Area Superintendent, welcomed local officials from Tangerang Regency, Banten, Indonesia  to the Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP).

 

 

9) Mr. Sofyan Sapar, Director of the Regional Water Company (PDAM) of Tangerang Regency, delivered the remarks on behalf of the Tangerang Regency delegation. He expressed his gratitude for the site visit arrangements, and their interest to learn from the good practices in the wetland park for potential application in their local area.

 

 

10) The delegation was provided some briefing on the development of the wetland park and its designation as a RAMSAR site, and  guided by LPPWP officers through a walking tour along the mangrove forest, and a boat tour in Manila Bay around the conservation area.

 

 

11) Ms. Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), and PRF staff welcomed Mr. Zaki Iskandar, Regent of Tangerang Regency, Indonesia, and senior officials of the regency to the PRF Office in Quezon City, Philippines, on 20 July 2022. The delegation included Mr. Taufik Emil (Head of Planning Agency), Mr. Kholid Ismail (Chairman of the Tangerang Council), Mr. Achmad Taufik (Head of Environment and Hygiene Agency), Mr. Jainudin (Head of Fisheries Agency), Mr. Sofyan Sapar (Director of PDAM/Regional Drinking Water Company), and Mr. Hari Mahardika (ICM Program Management Office Secretary).

 

 

12) The visit provided an opportunity to exchange information on the programs of PEMSEA at the regional, national and local levels, and various sustainable development and ICM initiatives in Tangerang Regency. Ms. Gonzales and Mr. Iskandar, who is the current Vice President of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG), also discussed strategies for further strengthening the operations of the network. Some preparations for the 2022 PNLG Forum, which will be held in Tangerang Regency on 25-29 October 2022, were also confirmed.