BFAR -FishCORAL Project launches CCAUSE; baywide management council for - - Bay

BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES-CARAGA·WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

The Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood (FishCORAL) Project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Caraga Region has officially launched its Coastal Community Alliance Unified for Sustainable Ecosystem (CCAUSE) to serve as baywide management council (BMC) for Lianga-Hinatuan- Bislig Bay held at Grand Palace Hotel, City, Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

Regional Director Juan Albaladejo commenced the event and delivered his message expressing his warmest welcome and outmost gratitude to all the delegates in realizing the event.

Delegates of the launching were from the local government units (LGU) of Lianga- Hinatuan-Bislig Bay mainly attended by the local chief executives, sanggunian bayan (municipal council), and their respective technical working groups composed of municipal agriculturists, agricultural technologists for fisheries, and representatives from the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils and Municipal Project Management Offices. The event was also participated by the Provincial Fisheries Office, Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Office, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of , Center for Empowerment and Resource Development Inc., and the secretariat of the CCAUSE- the Surigao del Sur State University-Lianga Campus.

The said launching was graced by Attorney Leoderico Avila, Jr who facilitated the review and finalization of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the CCAUSE.

“With this instrument (MOA) that we are finalizing, we are confident that “tapat na serbisyo para sa mamamayan”, will be fully realized,” said Atty. Avila.

After the thorough review of the CCAUSE MOA and as it was hereby agreed by the congregation, the signing of the memorandum and the reciting of pledge of commitment followed.

Elected officers of CCAUSE were Ma. Clarita Limbaro, the municipal mayor of Bayabas as Chairman, Shem Garay, the municipal mayor of Hinatuan as Vice Chairman, Lillian Lozada, the municipal mayor of as Treasurer and Raul Cubil, the municipal mayor of as Auditor. Lilaflora Orcullo of SDSSU- Lianga was the official secretary of CCAUSE, as appointed by the campus director of the university.

The council agreed to have their first meeting on October 11, 2017 which will be held at SDSSU-Lianga Campus, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, as the principal address of the council.

CCAUSE Chairman Limbaro delivered her message addressing her positivity for the alliance:

“Being part of the alliance is strength. With this, networks will be expanded, thus broadening the implementation of our policies and making it more effective.”

Limbaro also addressed the security and insurances for the fisherfolk:

“I hope that they (fisherfolk) will be protected with any of the policies that the alliance will be adopting,” she added.

Meanwhile, Regional Project Manager Loida Arreglado, together with Dir. Albaladejo, facilitated the awarding of certificates for the turn-over of office equipments to LGUs.

Finally, Director Albaladejo rendered his closing remarks and committed to support the future undertakings of the Coastal Community Alliance Unified for Sustainable Ecosystem (CCAUSE).

Coastal Community Alliance Unified for Sustainable Ecosystem (CCAUSE)

CCAUSE is composed of nine (9) municipalities and one (1) city based in Surigao del Sur namely; Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga, , Hinatuan, Bislig and .

The alliance has two major pillars; the Coastal Resource Management and the Forest Resource Management.

For Coastal Resource Management, it is anchored towards prioritizing seven (7) sub-programs related to Integrated Coastal Resource Management, such as; Habitat Management Enhancement Program, Fisheries Management Program, Water Quality and Pollution Management Program, Ecotourism and Enterprise Development Program, Legal and Institutional Development Program, Fisherfolk Resettlement Program, and Advocacy and Capacity Building Program.

The alliance was pushed through in the efforts of the FishCORAL Project-Regional Project Management Office, as one of the target deliverables of the project under the Coastal Resource Management Component.

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Dir. Albaladejo welcomes the delegates of the CCAUSE Launching.

Review and Finalization of CCAUSE MOA

Atty. Avila facilitates the review and finalization of the CCAUSE MOA.

Dr. Cynthia Sajot and Maam Lilaflora Orcullo serve as secretariat of the CCAUSE Launching.

The Signing of the CCAUSE MOA

FishCORAL CFs facilitate the signing of CCAUSE MOA.

The Reciting and Signing of the Pledge of Commitment

The Election of CCAUSE Officers

Maam Orcullo, being the appointed CCAUSE Secretary, facilitates the election of CCAUSE Chairman.

Mayor Limbaro, being the elected CCAUSE Chairman, facilitates the election of Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Auditor of the council.

The awarding of certificates and turn-over of Office Equipments to LGUs

The Delegates

The event organizers and facilitators