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Several local government units (LGUs) assisted by the USAID-funded Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project recently shared with each other their experiences in enforcing coastal laws and managing marine protected areas (MPAs). Representatives from Danao City, San Francisco, Poro, Tudela and Pilar – which all share the Camotes Sea -- joined the Inter-LGU Coastal Law Enforcement Summit held September 6-7, 2005. A week later, the same LGUs (except Danao City) met again for the Camotes-Wide Marine Protected Area (MPA) Forum held September 13-14. Both events were held at Barangay Esperanza, Poro in Camotes Islands, northeast of Cebu City. Summit participants included local legislators and representatives from the municipal government, fisher folks and enforcement groups. Members of the MPA management bodies and representatives from barangays attended the MPA forum. During the back-to-back events, LGUs – at different stages of implementation -- presented the status of their coastal law enforcement and MPA management activities. These fora are very important as we learn a lot from others who have gone through what we are going through right now,” said one participant. “There was a consensus on the need to join efforts and organize an inter-LGU coordinating body, as we believe that in union there is strength. Information sharing, like what we are doing now, is the first step towards reaching that goal.”
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