The good news in the environmental front is that local government units have been forming alliances to protect their natural resources. The latest to weigh in are Danao City and the island municipalities of Pilar, Poro, Tudela and San Francisco in the province of Cebu. Last January 19, 2006 the mayors of the five LGUs signed a memorandum of agreement for the joint and sustainable management of the Camotes Sea coastal and fishery resources.

Witnessed by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and 5th District Congressman Red Durano, the local chief executives created the Camotes Sea Inter-LGU Coastal Resource Management Council to put to flesh the collaboration and sharing of human, technical, material and financial resources aimed at the effective and efficient governance of their shared ecosystem.

Facilitated by the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the USAID-supported Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project, the landmark pact unites the LGUs who, in the past, have had political and developmental disagreements.

The five LGUs have received direct assistance on coastal and fishery resources management from EcoGov, Plan International and a recently concluded training on fishery laws enforcement by the US Department of Interior.

Buoyed by the promise of a unified and harmonious protection of their marine resources, the Governor gifted each LGU with a global positioning system that will be useful in patrolling their municipal waters and marine sanctuaries.

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