Huruhisgutay 1: Setting the Directions for Environmental Conservation in Eastern VisayasHisgut Kalibungan is an online discussion forum that seeks to analyze and discuss the most pressing environmental issues and concerns in Eastern Visayas. Moreover, Hisgut Kalibungan aims to serve as a venue through which important environmental issues and concerns may be transformed into policy initiatives that can guide the conduct of government and non-government environmental programs and projects. For its first episode entitled "Huruhisgutay 1: Setting the Directions for Environmental Conservation in Eastern Visayas", Hisgut Kalibungan will talk about the current state of the environment and biodiversity in the region. Huruhisgutay 1 also outlines important action points for planners and decision makers to consider in their efforts to achieve economic growth and social equity while living in harmony with nature.
Posted by UPVTC Leyte Samar Heritage Center on Friday, November 27, 2020
Huruhisgutay 1: Setting the Directions for Environmental Conservation in Eastern Visayas
In Huruhisgutay 1: Setting the Directions for Environmental Conservation in Eastern Visayas, experts discussed the state of the environment in Region 8, in particular issues and concerns affecting the environment and natural resources in the region and their impact on sustainable development of the region. The discussion generated nine policy recommendations that are intended to help policymakers design effective and efficient strategies for well-coordinated and holistic environmental conservation programs and projects in Eastern Visayas.
Episode Information
LEAD DISCUSSANT AND PANELISTS
Prof. Margarita T. de la Cruz
Prof. Margarita T. de la Cruz is a multi-awarded environmental conservationist and the Executive Director of the Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. She is a former Dean of UP Visayas Tacloban College and a leading advocate of marine resources conservation especially in the Province of Eastern Samar. Among others she has organized fisherfolk into people’s organizations with a strong sense of commitment and responsibility in preserving the region’s marine resources.
Mrs. Maribel B. Munsayac
Mrs. Maribel B. Munsayac is Chief of the Clearance and Permitting Division of the Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office 8 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. She has a BS Biology degree from UP Visayas Tacloban College and a Master in Management degree from the Asian Development Foundation College, Tacloban City.
Mr. Jay-ar O. Ragub
Mr. Jay-ar O. Ragub is a certified environmental planner specializing in Geographic Information Systems or GIS as well as remote sensing, local land use and physical planning, environment and natural resources management and public resource management. His publications include: 1) A Practical Guide on the Preparation of Local Climate Change Data; 2) Risk Maps for the Support of Reconstruction After Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines; and 3) Fractal Dimension and Patchiness in Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed, Southern Leyte, Philippines. He is currently a Senior Economic Development Specialist at the National Development Authority Region VIII.
Dr. Eulito V. Casas, Jr.
Dr. Eulito V. Casas, Jr. is currently the Chairperson of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of UP Visayas Tacloban College. He earned his PhD in Environmental Science from UP Los Baños. Listed as one of the resiliency experts of the UP System, he is a recipient of the “One UP Professional Chair Award in Research and Public Service” for 2019-2021. His research interests and advocacy are in the areas of biodiversity conservation, water governance, and resilience.
Dr. Arturo N. Salazar
Dr. Arturo N. Salazar is the Assistant Regional Director for Management Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 8. His specialization is in administration and management, human resource management, environment and natural resources management, and organizational development.
POLICY BRIEF
In the first online roundtable discussion in the Hisgut Kalibungan series, experts discussed the state of the environment in Eastern Visayas, specifically to identify issues and concerns affecting the environment and natural resources and their impact on the sustainable development of the region. The following recommendations for local policymakers and implementers were discussed.
- Treat all environmental issues and concerns as equally important.
- Intensify the information, education, and communication campaign for sustainable development.
- Revisit existing regional development plans to meet sustainable development goals.
- Intensify the dissemination and coordination of development plans, programs, and policies.
- Formulate development plans, programs, and policies using a bottom-up approach.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementers and the implementation of plans, programs, and policies.
- Review the functions of and strengthen coordination among the different bureaus or divisions of line government agencies to streamline the organization and harmonize program/project development and improve implementation.
- Strengthen the enforcement capacity of concerned LGAs, stakeholders, and the community.
- Explore existing convergence models in the country to develop efficient and effective implementation of environmental conservation measures and management systems in the region.
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