June 5, 2021—- The City of Lapu-lapu, in partnership with Pagtambayayong conducted an Environmental Stakeholder’s Summit at Eloisa Suites, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu.
Located off the shore of Cebu, Mactan Island boasts of beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity in the middle of urban Cebu. Its accesibility to urban development puts its natural resources at high risk from destructive human activities such as pollution, garbage, illegal fishing and many more.
Engr. Perla Amar, City planning and Development Office head started the program with a welcome message, followed by the Rationale of the Summit by Engr. Roderico Tagaan. Special keynote messages were also delivered by Mayor Junard “Ahong Chan, City Mayor of Lapu-lapu City and Most Reverend Jose Palma, Archbishop of Cebu.
Keynote speakers first explained about the current situation of Lapu-lapu City. Engr. Mario Villanueva, City consultant for the environment first gave his presentation on the current situation of the coastal resources of Lapu-lapu city. This was followed by a presentation by Engr. Roderico Tagaan, HEAD of the CENRO of Lapu-lapu.
During the break-out sessions, CCEF, represented by Mr. Ranie Ibanez led the discussion for the workshop. Among the issues that stood out during the workshop was the lack of enforcement in Marine Protected Areas, which include the presence of illegal fishing, illegal mangrove cutting and throwing of garbage in open waterways.
Despite many interventions in the past, fisherfolk and bantay dagat representatives during the workshop said that many initiatives have been discontinued and environmental problems have been overlooked. The results of the workshop were documented by members of the City of Lapu-lapu and will be submitted to the City Planning of Lapu-lapu for proper action and budgeting.
