Local Governments in Bicol and Occidental Mindoro Accredit WWF-Philippines
September 2022
Lagonoy Gulf Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council Chairperson Arnel Boholst accepts his organization’s CSO certificate of accreditation from DILG Bacacay Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Maffe Balucio. WWF-Philippines and its partner fisher organizations were granted LGU accreditation throughout the months of August and September. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
Local Government Units (LGUs) across the Bicol region and the province of Occidental Mindoro granted accreditation to the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) throughout August and September, 2022.
From Bicol, the LGUs of Bacacay, Malilipot, Tabaco City, Malinao, Tiwi, Sagnay, Tigaon, San Jose, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Caramoan and Virac honored the conservation organization as an official partner in development. The twelve LGUs cover the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.
WWF-Philippines was also accredited in Occidental Mindoro at a provincial level this September. The LGUs of Calintaan has also recognized the conservation organization as an official partner.
Occidental Mindoro Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Anthony Dantis and DILG Local Government Operations Officer II Jayzel Joy Bolasco hand WWF-Philippines' certificate of accreditation from the province of Occidental Mindoro to WWF-Philippines STP 2 Site Manager for Mindoro David David. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
WWF-Philippines has worked closely with these LGUs since 2011. First through the Philippine Partnership Toward Sustainable Tuna (PPTST) and later through the Sustainable Tuna Partnership (STP) program, the organization has supported small-scale handline tuna fishers and pushed for sustainable fishing practices in the Lagonoy Gulf.
“We are honored by the recognition conferred upon us by the local governments of Bicol and Mindoro. For the past decade they have been integral partners in our work towards environmental sustainability for our fisheries,” shared STP 2 Program Manager Joann Binondo.
Representatives from the CSOs and NGOs granted accreditation by the LGU of Malilipot. CSOs and NGOs in the Lagonoy Gulf work to improve the lives of Bicolanos. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
Accreditation is a way for LGUs to recognize the work done by organizations like WWF-Philippines. For WWF-Philippines, accreditation represents a strengthening of their relationship with their local government partners.
WWF-Philippines has helped LGUs to integrate sustainability into their fishery plans and policies. This way, LGUs can help safeguard their marine resources and secure the futures of those that rely on them.
“There is still plenty that needs to be done before we can claim true environmental sustainability for our tuna fisheries. That said, I am confident that we can count on our government partners to work with us in pursuit of a sustainable future for all,” added Binondo.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Joann Binondo
Overall Project Manager
Sustainable Tuna Partnership (STP)
jbinondo@wwf.org.ph
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Assistant Manager | External Communications and Ambassador Programs
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
