Environmental groups conduct training and workshops for environmental paralegals

By Rowena Cruz On August 22 and 23, environmental groups held training and workshops for environmental paralegals in Nawawalang Paraiso, Tay...

By Rowena Cruz

On August 22 and 23, environmental groups held training and workshops for environmental paralegals in Nawawalang Paraiso, Tayabas City. (Photo from Jay Lim, TK's Program Director)

TAYABAS CITY, Quezon - Tayabas Bay is the largest bay in the province of Quezon, Philippines, and is known for its rich biodiversity and important role in supporting local livelihoods. A large part of Tayabas Bay is under the jurisdiction of the province of Quezon, which was formerly the province of Tayabas, and a small part is under the jurisdiction of San Juan, Batangas. It has an estimated total area of 2,500 km2 (970 sq mi).

Its jurisdiction in the province of Quezon includes the following towns: Sariaya, Pagbilao, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Pitogo, General Luna, Catanuan, Mulanay, San Francisco, and one (1) city, Lucena. In Marinduque, it covers the towns of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Santa Cruz, and Torrijos.



Pagbilao and Tayabas Bay are very important according to Birdlife, so it is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area, or KBA, because it is an important staging area every winter for foreigners or migratory birds such as herons, egrets, and other birds that live on the sea coast.

There are nine (9) types or species of Ardeidae; these are the types of birds with long necks, legs, wings, and a short tail like the stork, of which there are five hundred (500) of the aforementioned types recorded here. bird, and sixteen (16) types of birds living on the seashore were recorded here. Including birds such as the Papan or Philippine Duck and the endangered Chinese Egret and Philippine Kingfisher that are usually in mangrove areas.



According to City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Cyril Coliflores, today it can be said that Tayabas Bay is threatened by various types of nature-destroying activities, projects, and activities of people, especially the illegal fishing activities that take place here.

She said it's time for the community to come together and take action to protect Tayabas Bay. Efforts should be made to raise awareness about the importance of preserving its diverse ecosystem and implementing stricter regulations against illegal fishing practices. By working hand in hand, we can ensure the long-term sustainability of this precious natural resource for future generations to enjoy.

In this regard, from August 22 to 23, "Bantay Dagat" from Sariaya, Lucena, Pagbilao, and Agdangan participated in combined training in Nawawalan Paraiso, Tayabas City. And from the 24th to the 25th of August, the towns of San Francisco, Mulanay, Catanauan, Gen. Luna, Pitogo, Macalelon, and Unisan participated in combined training in another area.

100 "Bantay Dagat," who are dedicated to protecting the marine environment, attended training sessions that focused on improving their skills in patrolling, surveillance, and responding to maritime incidents.

Although the two previous applications for seabed quarrying by Palasyo Mineral Resources and Birds Nest are estimated to have an area of approximately 20 hectares, there is currently an exploration application in the town of Padre Burgos by the Marines and the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, or MFARM.

According to the statement of Sherwin Rosales Bantay Dagat from Sariaya, Tayabas Bay is the life and livelihood of the small fishermen on its coast.

Allan Castillo, Acting Quezon Provincial Fishery Officer of BFAR, was one of the speakers on August 22, 2023, and Ernest John R. Laureles, Agriculturist 1, BFAR 4A, Quezon, shared the current situation of the natural resources and risks in Tayabas Bay on August 24, 2023.

He discussed the BFAR study, where there are still abundant regions of mangroves and reefs, but they are also threatened by illegal fishing and waste.

Juliet Borlon-Aparicio, City Planning Officer of Lucena City, and Atty. Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) Executive Director Fritz Palmiery, Atty. Ronely Sheen, TK Program Director, Atty. Rey Recto, a TK BOT member, discusses environmental laws.

Meanwhile, Zenaida Par-Bernal from Tagasuri ng Isda sa Quezon, or TNIQue and Raymund Villallon, Program Officer of TK, conducted the simulation workshops.

Jay Lim, TK's Program Director, spoke on paralegal and metalegal strategies to address environmental issues and emphasized the importance of community involvement in protecting the environment.

He also shared successful case studies where legal and grassroots efforts worked hand in hand to achieve positive environmental outcomes.

Grace Sorezo, Chief of Staff of Quezon Vice Governor Third Alcala, attended the solidarity nights and gave a message, Atty. Asis Perez, Senior Lawyer Advisor of TK; Allan Castillo of BFAR-Quezon; PGENRO Manuel Eugenio Beloso; and Assistant PGENRO Manny Calayag, PMaj. Arnold Peñales, PNP-Maritime Group R4A, PLT. Anselmo Cartago, PNP-Maritime Group-Quezon R4A, Engr. Cyril Coliflores, Cenro Tayabas, For. Ramil Gutierrez, Cenro Catananan, For. Sally Pangan, representative of PENRO Quezon, Jocelyn Guinto, and Marin S. Noveno, TNIQUE, Atty. Ma. Ronely Bisquerra-Sheen, TK, and musicians Napot and Ronnie De Mesa Tamondong and the Bandang Kulbit were guests.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) funded this work under their GoJust program, SLAM Sea Bed Quarrying and Off-shore Mining (Strengthening the Legal and Metalegal Battle Against Seabed Quarrying and Off-shore Mining in the Provinces of Quezon and Pangasinan). Tanggol Kalikasan is in charge of the SLAM seabed quarrying and offshore mining project and is responsible for implementing the program in the province of Quezon.