Round Table Discussion on the Delineation of Municipal Waters

April 15 – 17, 2005
G.D.F.I. Environmental Training Center, Guiuan, Eastern Samar

Round Table participants at the old airport at Guiuan, Samar.

The Pamana Ka Sa Pilipinas National Council and Secretariat gathered to discuss the status of Municipal Water Delineation in areas where it has members. The discussion was held April 15 – 17, 2005 at the Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI) Environmental Training Center in Poblacion, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The National Council came in complete attendance. They shared their experiences in delineation of municipal waters at their sites. Dennis Calvan, from the Institute of Social Order (ISO-RITD), came to represent the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR) as the current Chairman of NFR. He provided the assembly the status of the NFR’s DAO 17 campaign at the national level, NFR’s stand on DAO 17, and its position against bills seeking to revise portions of RA 8550 (specifically, HB 2709 and SB 799, by Rep. Federico Sandoval and Sen. Manuel Villar, respectively).
Highlights of the assembly were the Synergy of Action between NFR and Pamana’s Advocacies (DAO 17 being one of these), the DAO 17 action plans at the national and local levels. A Position paper vs HB 2709 and SB 799 was drafted and signed by the Council Members, and on the 3rd day, the Council was able to conduct its 1st National Council Meeting for 2005.
Sidelights included an evening of socials for the chapter representatives and visits to the old airport at Guiuan, the Guiuan beach, BFAR Region VIII fishcages, and the devotee’s church on nearby Sulangan Island.

Guiuan Sea.

Three "Ma" and Carol.

BFAR Region VIII fish culture in Guiuan.

Homeward-bound on San Juanico Bridge.

The Round Table Discussion was made possible with funding support from the Royal Netherlands Embassy, and the Haribon Foundation through the ANEST for Biodiversity Conservation in the Philippines Project.