By Lily Gut OPA Ocean Celebration (Photo from Cavite PIO) TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite - The Cavite provincial government, through the Office ...
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| OPA Ocean Celebration (Photo from Cavite PIO) |
TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite - The Cavite provincial government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), spearheaded the celebration of the Month of the Ocean 2023 on May 16–17, 2023, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of the ocean and its resources as the world faces growing environmental challenges that threaten the health of the oceans and marine life.
It featured various activities such as beach clean-up drives, educational seminars, and interactive exhibits showcasing the beauty and diversity of marine life. It is hoped that through this celebration, more people will be inspired to take action to preserve our oceans for future generations.
This year's theme, "Sustainably Feed the Global Population," emphasizes the critical need for action to promote responsible management and conservation of the ocean's resources through the implementation of sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices and the protection of critical habitats.
In Trece Martires City, the Ceremonial Hall of the Provincial Capitol was the location of a symposium that took place on May 16, 2023.
It was attended by the chair of the City and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (C/MFARMC), agriculturists and fisherfolk from nine coastal local government units in Cavite, representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region IVA (BFAR-IVA), the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OPENRO), and OPA personnel led by Ms. Lorna E. Avi Alvin Mojica, Provincial Administrator for Community Affairs, and Ms. Maribel Orense, BFAR Regional Fisherfolk Director, were also present.
Imee Latigay from BFAR-IVA discussed the importance of establishing Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs), which are designated areas where fishing activities are managed to ensure the sustainable use of resources.
She emphasized the need for cooperation among local government units, fisherfolk organizations, and other stakeholders in implementing FMA.
On the other hand, Engr. Ronalyn Pangilinan of OPENRO tackled sustainability through the Ridge to Reef Approach, which involves the management of land, coastal waters, and the ocean as an integrated system.
The approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of these ecosystems and the importance of managing them holistically to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and other natural resources.
On May 17, 2023, a mangrove planting activity was held along the coastline of Brgy. Calibuyo in Tanza as part of the Month of the Ocean celebration.
This was done to reforest the identified site with mangroves, which are known to protect coastlines from erosion, provide habitat for fish and other marine life, and help mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon.
The planting activity was attended by the C/MFARMC chairpersons, city and municipal agriculturists and fisherfolk of nine coastal LGUs, representatives from MENRO-Tanza, faculty and staff of Flaviana Arayata Memorial Elementary School, representatives from San Miguel Aerocity Inc., and OPA personnel. Board Member Shernan Jaro, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, and Mr. Alvin S. Mojica, Provincial Administrator for Community Affairs, also participated. (with reports from Cavite PIO)
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