To continuously conserve and protect the environment, the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) nurtures the seeds of collaboration and initiative of 3 Divisions, with one goal of a sustainable cleaner and greener future. For the year 2023, PEMO persisted in fulfilling its mandate throughout the challenges of the previous year. The following are its notable accomplishments felt up to the grassroots.
Solid Waste Management and Greening Activities:
The Provincial Government has once again trailblazed in governance on Solid Waste Management, being the only province with all its component LGUs having jointly presented and gained approval from the National Solid Waste Management Council for their 10-year Solid Waste Management plans. These plans were crafted in a collective effort spearheaded by the Provincial Government in partnership with DENR-EMB XII and the component LGUs. Moreover, ten Barangay LGUs received an IEC Orientation on RA 9003, accompanied by the distribution of 500 IEC materials, as part of an awareness campaign, particularly in selected convergence areas in Banga and Tantangan.
To fortify solid waste management and green initiatives, the province downscaled the implementation of its Cleanest and Greenest Program to the Barangay Government Level, allocating P2.4 Million Pesos. The competition aimed to enhance solid waste management, cleanliness, and greening activities at the grassroots level. The culmination of this program occurred on November 22, 2023, during the Environmental Awareness Month, where winners were announced.
Infectious Waste Management:
In 2023, PEMO successfully collected and treated 222.3 Metric Tons of infectious wastes from 23 hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and quarantine facilities. As part of the program, inspections of healthcare waste facilities were conducted to ensure compliance with national and local policies in the management of infectious and hazardous wastes.
Forest & Inland Waters Management Division and through its Community-based Upland Development and Natural Resources Management Program, PEMO achieved significant milestones:
a) Lake Sebu Rehabilitation, Conservation, and Development Program:
PEMO conducted lake clean-up activities at Lake Lahit and Lake Sebu, removing illegal structures and clearing approximately 41,000 square meters from water lilies.
Monitored and maintained 12 hectares of water source areas draining towards Lake Sebu across multiple barangays.
c) Bamboo Development Program:
Implemented riparian zone revegetation, involving the planting and maintenance of 7000 bamboo propagules across 83 km length of riparian area across various LGUs. PEMO also expanded its Biodiversity Corridor project with the Allah Valley Area and managed to identify and develop 24 Hectares of timberland using the Assisted Natural Regeneration/Enrichment Planting.
d) Other Activities:
In collaboration with the PDRRMO, PEMO facilitated the training and turnover of eight (8) drilling machines to component LGUs. These machines will be utilized in the establishment of indigenous diking, aimed at safeguarding riparian areas from flooding and river erosion.”
PEMO also actively participated and provided inputs in the Marbel-Buluan Watershed Management Conference and Planning-Workshop and further contributed to the Siguel Watershed Management core group. It also provided assistance in the updates on Forest Land Use Plans for Tupi, T’boli, Banga, and Polomolok.
Mines and Geosciences Division Accomplishments:
The Mines and Geosciences Division of PEMO actively engaged in the verification, assessment, and regulation of sand and gravel operations, small-scale mining tunnels, and mineral processing plants. Noteworthy achievements include:
Conducted 622 river assessments for the renewal of permits and facilitated dredging/river alignments within Taplan, Allah, and Marbel Rivers. Managed 2 Minahang Bayan Areas with approximately 300 small-scale mining tunnels and 40 mineral processing plants, ensuring compliance with national and local policies of Small Scale Mining. PEMO’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and resource management is evident in its diverse range of accomplishments across waste management, upland development, and regulatory oversight. The collaborative efforts with local communities, government units, and environmental agencies underscore PEMO’s pivotal role in fostering a sustainable and resilient province.
Managed 2 Minahang Bayan Areas with approximately 300 small-scale mining tunnels and 40 mineral processing plants, ensuring compliance with national and local policies of Small Scale Mining.
PEMO’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and resource management is evident in its diverse range of accomplishments across waste management, upland development, and regulatory oversight. The collaborative efforts with local communities, government units, and environmental agencies underscore PEMO’s pivotal role in fostering a sustainable and resilient province.
