Mayor Ogena, Stakeholders,sign MOA to Safeguard Marbel-Buluan Watershed
Koronadal City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena joined other stakeholders from the government and private sectors to make history as they formalized their pledge to protect and preserve the Marbel-Buluan Watershed (MBW) during the recent Marbel-Buluan Watershed Management Alliance (MBWMA) Executive Summit at The Farm Convention Hall, Barangay Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal.
On March 6, 2024, Mayor Ogena and the officials coming from various local government units and non-government organizations and agencies of the Provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat of Region XII, and Maguindanao del Sur of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, gathered to be part of the crucial milestone as they forged their commitment through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement.
The Marbel-Buluan Watershed is a vital biodiversity area with a span of more than 121,000 hectares in the said three provinces. It is a catchment of major river systems such as the Marbel, Palian, and Taplan Rivers that drain towards Lake Buluan and eventually to a common outlet in the direction of the Municipality of Pandag, Maguindanao.
In his message, Mayor Ogena expressed his appreciation to the dedicated individuals who shared a common commitment to sustainable management of the Marbel-Buluan Watershed.
“The collaboration of each sector and the unity of all of us are of utmost importance. The MBWMA ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa pagkakaroon ng masusing koordinasyon sa ating mga adhikain. (The MBWMA is a big step towards having a thorough coordination of our aspirations.) It represents a bold and visionary initiative that seeks to unite municipalities, NGOs, businesses, and citizens under a common banner of shared responsibility”, Ogena said.
“The Marbel Buluan watershed, with its ecological significance, serves as a lifeline for our communities, providing us with vital resources and supporting the delicate balance of our local ecosystems”, the city’s chief executive added.
Meanwhile, Atty. Farhana Datudacula, MDWMA interim technical working group chair, underscored in her speech that watersheds are indispensable natural systems that yield numerous advantages to society.
“Acknowledging the importance of watersheds and adopting sustainable management practices is essential for securing their long-term health and ensuring the prosperity of communities reliant on them,” she said.
On the other hand, the governors, through their respective representatives, have extended their full support and signed the MOA as their commitment to protect and conserve the MBW.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., through Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) Chief Siegfred Flaviano, extended his support to the MBWMA’s initiative.
“This is really a milestone not only for the three provinces, but most especially for our environment. It only shows that despite of our political colors, political parties or political principles, at the end, environmental protection transcends political boundaries,” Flaviano stated.
The PEMO Chief added, “The province of South Cotabato, through our honorable governor, is really committed to support the initiative and actively promote the sustainable management of our water resources. The most important thing about this MOA is not only the signing; this is just the start of our partnership. The real challenge now is to put this paper into action.”
Aside from government officials, representatives from the religious and agriculture sectors also came to reaffirm their support and partnership by witnessing and giving their messages of support during the historic event.
Most Rev. Bishop Cerilo Alan U. Casicas, D.D. of the Diocese of Marbel commended the initiative and assured to support the alliance’s vital collaborative endeavor.
He emphasized that the MOA signing signifies a significant commitment to collaborative action and environmental stewardship. It is a testament of shared responsibility to care for the creation and the promotion of the common good.
“The protection of watersheds is of particular importance in our efforts towards ecological sustainability. By managing, preserving and restoring our watersheds, we not only ensure access to clean water but also uphold the dignity of human life, promote our socio-cultural fabric and safeguard the well-being of ecosystems,” Bishop Casicas said.
Meanwhile, in a video message, Archbishop Emeritus Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, of the Archdiocese of Cotabato and the chair of the Mindanao River Basin Management Council, vowed to include in his prayers the success of the alliance’s conservation efforts. He stressed that caring for God’s creation is everyone’s responsibility.
Engr. Teodorico Fadrigo, Jr., the Vice Chairman of SOCCSKSARGEN Irrigators Association, said that, as a farmer, he expressed his gratitude to the MBWMA’s commitment to protecting and preserving the MBW.
“Ang ating aksyon sa araw na ito ay isang patunay na mas mahalaga ang buhay kaysa anumang material na bagay dito sa mundo. Ang malusog na kalikasan ay may malusog ding mamamayan. Ang malinis at maayos na katubigan ay tanda ng isang pagnanais na maproteksyunan ang buhay at kabuhayan”, Fadrigo said in his speech.
(Our actions today prove that life is more important than any material thing in this world. A healthy environment equals healthy people. Clean water is a clear sign of our desire to protect lives and livelihoods.)