The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol along with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) of Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Masbate, gathered during the conduct of the 1st Quarter Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Meeting for the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) on February 11, 2020 at A & A Bed and Breakfast Function Hall, Legazpi City.

Highlights of the meeting was the presentation of the accomplishments of the TBPPS for CY 2019 and the approval of the TBPPS Work Plan for CY 2020. "The Work Plan is vitally important for the PAMB to function well and to be able to move forward with its projects and activities," said the PAMB Chairman and DENR V OIC, Regional Executive Director Atty. Gil A. Aromin. Also, Forester Aldrin B. Barruga II, the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) said that all the programs for the Protected Area (PA) must be closely aligned with the Management Plan for it to be approved once sent to the Secretary. Along with this, he accentuated that there will be no issuance of permits if the programs are not aligned with the Management Plan. “We need to move forward with our programs for the TBPPS even though we do not have the downloaded fund yet,” PASu Barruga added.

The Survey and Registration of Protected Area Occupants (SRPAO) was also presented by the PASu. According to him, the result of the SRPAO will be used as inputs to the PA management in the conduct of zoning or planning and will serve as baseline in monitoring PA occupation and financing mechanisms.

Meanwhile, three (3) proposed projects were presented during the PAMB Meeting. The first one was presented by Engr. Allan R. Plete of Prism Express Consulting, Inc. together with Mr. Julius L. Bucog from Seaoil Philippines, Inc. A Fuel Oil Depot and Jetty Project at Barangay Antonio (Sapa) Pilar, Sorsogon were proposed to the PAMB. They have assured the PAMB that they will abide by the regulations and comply with all the requirements if permit is granted. Further, discussion and assessment will be conducted for the said proposed project. Second is the proposed project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st Engineering District of Masbate, which is the Convergence and Special Support Program Poblacion-Morocborocan-Guinhadap to San Miguel Island Dive Site and Light House and Other Tourism Areas, Barangay Guinhadap, Monreal, Masbate. Likewise, the DPWH proposed project will undergo further assessment to ensure the conservation of the PA, especially, the foreshore before the issuance of permit. Lastly, was the project proposed by the Talubo Initiative entitled, “Talubo-Kawan”, which aims to rehabilitate and protect mangrove areas in Albay’s West Coast. The PAMB Chairman suggested that the Talubo Initiative may coordinate with PENRO Albay to re-visit their target coastal areas in Ligao, Albay to ensure that the proposed areas are suitable for Mangrove planting.

The PAMB Meeting was attended by the PENR Officers of the four (4) provinces covering the TBPPS, namely: Imelda D. Baltazar of Albay and CENR Officer of Guinobatan Narisol C. Divina, Grace L. Cariño of Camarines Sur, Herleo O. Pavericio of Sorsogon and Tito R. Migo of Masbate. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) V Regional Director Agnes E. Tolentino and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Representative PLTCOL Brian B. Castillo also attended the meeting including the representatives and regular members of each province covering the TBPPS. *DJJ