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PEMSEA News
Up one levelPEMSEA News chronicles on-the-ground experiences and activities in PEMSEA sites and hotspots. Community-based initiatives, such as mangrove planting, coastal cleanups and waste management, are highlighted in the articles, as well as other workshops, conferences and programs organized or participated in by the Regional Programme.
PEMSEA and HP Philippines launch EAS Congress 2009 Regional Photo Contest
Manila, Philippines - In line with the activities leading to the East Asian Seas Congress 2009, PEMSEA and HP Philippines together launch the East Asian region-wide Photo Contest with the theme, "The Coast, The Ocean, My Community" on 15 July 2008. The contest has three categories (Youth, Hobbyist and Professional) and is open to nationals of the East Asian region.
PEMSEA Contribution to Coastal Tourism Recognized
The Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) received a special recognition from the Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Asia (SCOTIA), a United States-Agency for International Development (USAID) Program, for its continuous support in promoting coastal tourism through its Public-Private Partnership initiatives for the development of adequate infrastructure for sanitation in Puerto Galera. Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, PEMSEA Executive Director, received the certificate from SCOTIA Team Leader, Ms. Grace Favila; US-AID Representative Mr. John Lindborg; and Secretary Joseph Durano of the Department of Tourism, during the Sustainable Coastal Tourism Conference held on 28 May in Manila.
Vietnam Province Initiates Replication of Danang’s ICM Project Experience
Thua Thien Hue is one of four provinces in Vietnam’s central region economic zone. The province is bordered on the north by Quang Tri Province, on the south by Danang City, on the west by Lao PDR, and on the east by the East Sea. The lagoon system in the coastal area embodies a unique eco-system, and has significant potential for development as an ecotourism site.
Guimaras Aims High Towards Achieving Its Sustainable Development Targets
Guimaras, an island province of the Philippines, located in the western Visayas, is well-known for its mangoes - its signature product; its pristine beaches and coves; and more recently, as the site of the worst oil spill in the history of the Philippines. On 11 August 2006, two million liters of bunker fuel were spilled into the Guimaras coast, causing an environmental and economic disaster that seriously affected more than half of its population living along its 238-km coastline that depended on the coastal and marine resources for their livelihood.. The results of the rapid damage assessment showed the magnitude of impacts on the ecosystems and population which were manifested in the loss of livelihood, health problems and degradation of the important coastal habitats including mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds.
Philippines Hosts EAS Congress 2009, Venue Set in Manila
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines, and the PEMSEA Resource Facility have confirmed that the site of the EAS Congress 2009 will be Manila, Philippines. The date for the Congress is set for 23 -27 November 2009.
Xiamen Gears Up for 2008 World Ocean Week (XWOW)
Xiamen, PR China - The Xiamen Municipal Government is aiming to exceed the achievements of the 2007 XWOW, which was attended by 500 participants from 33 countries. To meet the challenge, the Xiamen Oceans and Fisheries Bureau brought together representatives from the State Oceanic Administration, the United Nations Development Programme in China, Xiamen University, the Fujian Provincial Oceans and Fisheries Bureau, and PEMSEA to plan and discuss the organization of the 2008 XWOW, scheduled on 7-13 November. The First Organizing Committee meeting was held in Xiamen on 23 April.
SOC Evaluates ICM Implementation on the Ground
Batangas, Philippines - Fourteen years have passed since integrated coastal management (ICM) was initiated in the Batangas Bay region. The experience has since been been replicated in two other bays in the province, namely the Balayan and Adjacent Bays, and the Tayabas and Adjacent Bays region. But apart from the geographical expansion of ICM efforts, has there really been progress achieved on the ground. Has ICM created impacts on the sustainable marine and coastal environment and more importantly to the well-being of Batangueños?
PEMSEA Welcomes New PRF Staff
PEMSEA welcomes Ms. Maida Aguinaldo, Mr. Renato Cardinal, Mr. John Eric Dylan Saet and Mr. Andre Jon Uychiaoco to the PEMSEA Resource Facility.
The Philippines Announces the Hosting of the East Asian Seas Congress 2009
The Government of the Philippines through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced today, 5 June 2008, its hosting of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009, to be held in Manila on 23-27 November 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DENR and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the Philippines formalized its commitment to host the international event and provide the necessary in-country support and preparations. The MOA was signed between DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. and PEMSEA Executive Director Raphael P. M. Lotilla.
New Executive Director of PEMSEA Announced
Hanoi, Vietnam – PEMSEA has announced the designation of Mr. Raphael P.M. Lotilla as the new Executive Director of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF).
Training Workshop on the Application of the IIMS for River Basins Conducted
Quezon City, Philippines -- Twenty-six participants from various regional offices of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the provincial government of Batangas attended a training workshop on the Application of the Integrated Information Management System for River Basins (IIMS-RB) conducted from 12-14 March by PEMSEA and DENR. This workshop was a result of DENR’s recognition of the potential of the IIMS based on the experiences of the Manila Bay Environmental Management Project, as well as DENR’s subsequent desire to mainstream the IIMS within DENR offices nationwide.
PEMSEA Participates in Philippine Water Week
The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheaded the Philippine Water Week (24-28 March), as part of the local observance of the World Water Day. PEMSEA participated in the five-day event marked by water resource-related activities.
From Hills to Coasts, the Integrated Information Management System covers them all…
Quezon City, Philippines -- PEMSEA’s Integrated Information Management System for Coastal and Marine Environments (IIMS) has been expanded, to include integrated management of river basins and coastal areas.
Beyond the Region: PEMSEA Shares ICM Experience in Sudan
Khartoum, Sudan — PEMSEA has been assisting with the development of a national integrated coastal management (ICM) programme in Sudan, as a cooperative inter-regional arrangement with the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA). PERSGA is an intergovernmental body dedicated to the conservation of the coastal and marine environments found in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Suez, Suez Canal and Gulf of Aden. Sudan is one of the seven member states of PERSGA.
Occheauteal Beach Gets a “Face Lift”
From a sleepy, laid back coastal municipality a few years back, Sihanoukville is fast catching up with Siem Reap as one of Cambodia’s top tourist destinations, attracting more local and international tourists with its relaxing white beaches and seafood restaurants. The steady influx of tourists is also brought in by the opening of the Kangkeng Airport, enhancing mobility among tourists and making it possible for them to hop from one destination to another.
Coastal Community Gears up to be an Eco-Village
Almost an hour away from downtown Sihanoukville — through the bumpy stretch of unpaved road off Highway No. 4 — lies Village 3 in Sangkat Tonorolok. It is a small fishing village in Stung Hav, the site of the follow-through project of the Small Grants Programme (SGP)-PEMSEA Joint Communiqué that seeks to “build” an eco-village. The pilot village of 200-250 families is located near the freshwater reservoir — currently being completed with funding support from the UNDP TRAC fund and GEF SGP Cambodia. Aside from providing freshwater sources for agricultural production, the reservoir is also being eyed to be a lagoon-like tourist attraction.
EMECS Joins PEMSEA as Non-State Partner
The International Center for the Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS) is now the newest Non-State Partner of PEMSEA. The Executive Committee of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council approved the application of EMECS to become a partner in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) and assist during its second EC Meeting on 15 March.
UNOPS Becomes Executing Agency of the PEMSEA Regional Programme
Effective 1 April 2008, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) became the Executing Agency of the PEMSEA Regional Programme.
PEMSEA launches “Securing the Oceans: Essays on Ocean Governance”
Hanoi, Vietnam – PEMSEA launched a 25-chapter book, which is a compendium of essays written by 25 authors, during the 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 7-11 April. Securing the Oceans: Essays on Ocean Governance – Global and Regional Perspectives was published a decade after the Year of the Ocean in 1998. The book is envisaged to further stimulate and strengthen the pursuit of sustainable ocean development so as to secure the ocean and its resources for future generations.
Securing the Oceans: Essays on Ocean Governance Published Jointly by PEMSEA and Nippon Foundation
Published a decade after the 1998 Year of the Ocean, the 25-chapter Securing the Oceans: Essays on Ocean Governance is primarily aimed at increasing the awareness of the general public on coasts and oceans and at strengthening their understanding of the functioning of the ocean, land-sea interactions, ocean dynamics and ecosystem functioning. The book is published jointly by PEMSEA and the Nippon Foundation and is edited by Chua Thia-Eng, Gunnar Kullenberg and Danilo Bonga.
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- In the News — by PEMSEA Webmaster — last modified February 29, 2008 04:46 AM
- This contains news clippings on PEMSEA activities as covered by the media.
PEMSEA and HP Philippines launch EAS Congress 2009 Regional Photo Contest
