30/06/2023
On June 8, 2023, the local government units of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao, and San Joaquin convened in Miagao, Iloilo to reactivate the Southern Iloilo Coastal Resources Management Council (SICRMC).
A new set of officers were elected for the term (2023-2026) SICRMC elected new officers for the term 2023-2026. Mayor Oscar "Richard" Garin Jr. of Miagao as President, Mr. Rodelio Sedantes of LGU San Joaquin as Secretary and Ms. Allison BretaΓ±a of LGU Oton as Treasurer. The election was followed with a presentation on fisheries management mechanisms by Mr. Matteo Doyola, Jr. Senior Fishing Regulations Officer of DA-BFAR Region 6. His talk has emphasized the importance of an active alliance so it can effectively manage the resources in which it is has a vital role to play.
The reactivation of SICRMC is strongly supported by Governor Arthur βTotoβ Defensor Jr. and Sangguniang Panlalawigan member for First District, Jo Ann Basco Germinanda. The Provincial Agriculture Office headed by Dr. Ildefonso T. Toledo served as the SICRMC secretariat. The assembly was attended by thirty-five (35) delegates, including the current members of the Board of Trustees. Also present is the DA-BFAR Region 6 - Iloilo Provincial Fishery Office (PFO) being the partner of Iloilo Provincial Government in fisheries management in the province.
The SICRMC is composed of five coastal municipalities in Southern Iloilo that collaborate to conserve and manage their major fishing ground β the Panay Gulf, which is an ecologically diverse but vulnerable marine environment. The council, which was founded in 2006 with the support of University of the Philippines Visayas, focuses on fisheries law enforcement, coastal habitat restoration, and equitable benefit distribution among municipalities. Despite its early success, the council became inactive after the last convergence in 2016.
The reactivation of the SICRMC marks an important step forward for coastal resource management in Southern Iloilo. With new leadership in place and strong support from various stakeholders, the council is poised to address the challenges and opportunities for sustainable fisheries management in Southern Iloilo. # # -HKS
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(Photo from Ms E. Guevarra)