Samal 1st LGU to be CRM Certified Level 2
If you’re a fan of acronyms, then this article is right up your alley.
The Island Garden City of Samal is the first LGU (local government unit) in the Philippines to be CRM (Coastal Resource Management) level 2 certified.
Emmanuel Isip, DENR (Dept. of Environmental and Natural Resources) XI Regional Technical Director explained the process and the basic requirements in achieving CRM certification.
“This certification was articulated in the League of Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines Resolution No. 01, series of 1999, “A resolution calling for the enactment/implementation of measures empowering the local government units for integrated coastal management”
The basic requirements to achieve the CRM certification include 1) multi-year CRM plan; 2) coastal resource assessment; 3) CRM related organizations formed and active; 4) annual CRM programming and budgeting; and 5) shoreline/foreshore management measures planned and initiated.
CRM certification is patterned after international standards for organizational and environmental management systems (ISO 9000 and ISO 14000).
IGaCoS was able to meet level 2 certification for achieving benchmarks for the best practices which include local legislation, municipal water delineation, coastal zoning, fisheries management, coastal law enforcement, Marine protected areas, mangroves management, solid waste management, upland/watershed management, coastal environment-friendly enterprise development, revenue generation and multi-institutional collaboration for CRM.
A CRM awardee enjoys competitive advantages and improved public image over non-certified coastal cities or municipalities.
Full article: samalcity.gov.ph
Photo credit: Craig in the Philippines
Good to hear this Randy. The gulf is a major source of seafood for the locals here. Also the coral bed – have to preserve whatever is left. We need to protect it as much as we can. With so many rivers emptying into it, it is a challenge to keep the gulf clean.
Are those mangroves being planted in the picture?
Hi Ellen – yes those are mangroves being planted but not at Samal. I got the photo off the site of a Peace Corps Volunteer’s site who is involved with CRM around Amlan, Negro Oriental.
It’s always encouraging to see articles like this about IGaCoS. My hope is that it will continue to environmentally aware, even as it develops. So far that seems to be the case.