Province anti-poverty program gets DND unrelenting support

The Department of National Defense (DND) continues supporting the endeavors of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) geared towards reducing poverty incidence through food security and achieving genuine and lasting peace.
DND Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzanain his prepared keynote speech read by DND Undersecretary (Usec) Cardozo M. Luna said the DND relates to the ideas to where this endeavor is founded on environmental protection and poverty alleviation.
Tfhe statement was issued last Tuesday during the Blessing and Inauguration of Bohol Giant Clams Hatchery and Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing on the Implementation of a Half-way House for Rebel Returnees at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Multi-Species Hatchery, Sinandigan, Ubay, Bohol.
Secretary Lorenzana underscored the project as he said that the seeding of giant clams in Bohol marine areas aim to increase variety of marine species and biodiversity in the waters, thus increasing the catch of the fishermen.
Lorenzana said the DND through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had the opportunity to take part in the profound cause of which the province has been a partner of the AFP in its environmental protection and conservation programs under the internal peace and security plan (IPSP) Bayanihan.
He said in 2013, the AFP provided the facility to the province of Bohol when it transported 240 giant clams from Balinao, Pangisinan.
Lorenzana said that in the past six years, the armed forces were consistent in lending its support to Bohol in its commitment to develop its own giant clams hatchery.
The 47th Infantry Battalion consistently participates in the annual underwater biophysical assessment in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) seeded with giant clams.
He said the DND relies on many facets, including environmental stability and socio-economic growth.
Lorenzana bared the defense department strongly views the importance of sustaining our internal peace and gladly welcome efforts and partnerships such as what had been done last Tuesday which was truly commendable.
The DND Secretary emphasized that in this age of rapidly changing environmental patterns and rise of unprecedented impacts of climate change, it is important that we provide protection to our marine ecosystem.
Gov. Edgar M. Chatto expressed thanks and gratitude to the DND who provided facility in transporting the giant clams from Bolinao, Pangasinan to Bohol considering the allotted given time of 11 hours of transporting from the origin to the destination for the clams to survive.
Gov. Chatto said the seeding of giant clams is not an easy work because it faced a lot of challenges.
It can be said that “No Pain No Gain,” the governor clarified that no matter how big the challenges are but at the end of the rope through our concerted efforts the fisherfolks and the people would be benefited, the provincial government would accept the challenges.
Chatto was also grateful to BFAR, Bohol Island State University (BISU) Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO) and other agri-related government agencies who in one way or another helped for the realization of the project geared towards peace and development.
He asked everyone to help in protecting our giant clams at the MPAs and other marine resources not only for today but for future generation.
Dr. Zina D. Sayson, Vice President for Research Development and Extension, BISU in her message said that as an academic institution it offers fishery courses in BISU Candijay and Clarin Campuses as among the flagships degree programs that they have been motivated to do their share of making their curriculum offerings truly committed in taking active part in the preservation of natural wealth such as the clams and other marine products.
Regional Executive Director (RED) BFAR Alfeo G. Piloton expressed apprehension on the dwindling population of the giant clams because of the climate change, typhoons and illegal fishing.
Dir. Piloton urged the law enforcers and the local government units to intensify the campaign against illegal fishing especially at the purok level.
Piloton said the BFAR has launched the program called “Operation BagongBuhay” giving technical assistance and alternative livelihood to those who were apprehended and freed on illegal fishing.
Liza M. Quirog, chief of staff/ MPA Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) in her statement of purpose articulated the main reason to venture this project which is for ensuring food security.
Quirog pointed out that the presence of giant clams in the sea waters increases the marine resources because it provides food and shelter for other marine organisms, and helps to enhance marine bio-diversity among others.
She narrated on how difficult to seed the giant clams especially in bringing the clams in the province from Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Quirog urged the Boholanos to help in protecting the clams at the MPAs and at the hatchery as she disclosed that destroying one giant clam has a penalty of P500, 000 and an imprisonment of 12 to 20 years.
In the same occasion that the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing on the Implementation of a Half-Way House for Rebel Returnees was conducted wherein Gov. Chatto, DND Usec. Luna and the Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director John Joan Mende who inked the agreement.
Also gracing the affair were Vice Governor Dionisio D. Balite; Board Member AgapitoAvenido; Ubay Mayor RestitutoAuxtero; Deputy Commander General Elie Alberto, Central Command-AFP; Lt. Col. Joel Malig, 47IB; Lt. Col. Agum; NonitaCabacaba, BFAR Guian Center Director; Col. Caballes-Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO); Maritime Police and Coast Guards. (AtoyCosap)

TWIN ACTIVITIES. Gov. Edgar M. Chatto (top photo) leads the ribbon cutting during the Blessing and Inauguration of Bohol Giant Clams Hatchery and Tripartite MOA Signing on the Implementation of a Half-Way House for Rebel Returnees at BFAR Multi-Species Hatchery, Sinandigan, Ubay, Bohol last Tuesday. He was assisted by DND undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna and Liza M. Quirog, chief of staff/MPA Provincial Technical Working Group chairperson among others. While the bottom left photo are some of the giant clams at the hatchery for seeding.