U.S. Embassy News Release

April 18, 2007

                                                                    

USAID Heads Lauds Bohol’s Environmental Gains

 

The Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in the Philippines, Jon Lindborg, traveled to Bohol today to demonstrate the support of the American people for improvements in local environmental governance.

 

“The United States highly values our partnership with the people and government of Bohol, which has borne significant results in environmental governance that directly improve the lives of Boholanos over the years,” the USAID/Philippines Director declared.  “We are the largest grant donor for the environment in the Philippines and a dedicated partner in protecting the natural beauty of the Philippines.”

 

Lindborg spoke before local government officials, members of civil society groups and non-governmental organizations, and the general public at the opening of the exhibit “Atong Kalibutan, Angayang Ampingan (Caring for Mother Earth).”  The exhibit runs from April 18-22 and is one of the highlights of Bohol’s observance of Earth Day on April 22. 

 

The observance, expanded from a day-long celebration into a week of activities in the province, has been dubbed “Earth Week Bohol 2007” and carries the theme “Stewardship in Action.”  The Province of Bohol, through the Bohol Environmental Management Office, is leading the celebration with support from USAID, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 

 

The American people support a range of environmental and natural resource management initiatives in Bohol, including several projects funded through USAID:  the Philippine Environmental Governance Project 2 (EcoGov2); Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Asia (SCOTIA); the Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH) Project; Coastal Resources and Fisheries Conservation in the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (CRFC); and Transforming the Marine Aquarium Trade (TMAT). 

 

EcoGov2 assists local government units in solid waste and wastewater management, forests and forestlands management, and coastal resource management.  SCOTIA works towards a more environmentally friendly tourism industry in Panglao Island through the use of wastewater treatment technologies.  CRFC supports the marine sanctuaries of Panglao Island. The FISH Project assists in the protection and conservation of the double barrier Danajon Reef at Bohol’s northern tip.  TMAT helps communities collect marine aquarium fish sustainably.  Additional detail on these USAID projects can be found at http://philippines.usaid.gov/.

 

Additionally, the U.S. Peace Corps has several volunteers stationed in Bohol working on coastal resource management and environmental education.

 

Lindborg praised the Boholanos for their “proactive commitment to the environment,” citing that the Province has earned a number of awards from Galing Pook and other recognition.  The USAID chief said his agency considered it a “privilege” to remain Bohol’s active partner in the stewardship of Mother Earth.

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