Quezon City, Philippines — Effective 1 April 2008, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) became the 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.With the entry of PEMSEA into its new phase and the approval of the GEF/UNDP/UNOPS/PEMSEA Project on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), a new implementing arrangement was set in place, with United Nations Development Programme se

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.

 

Manila, Philippines — 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.A three-day water technology exhibition and product exposition at the Protected Area and Wildlife Visitors' Center in Quezon City, Philippines, kicked off the celebration, along with a press briefing on the launching of the roadmap on water and sanitation.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia — 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.

 

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.

Hanoi, Viet Nam — PEMSEA has announced the designation of Mr. Raphael P.M. Lotilla as the new Executive Director of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF).The announcement was made on 9 April by Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council, during a Reception hosted by PEMSEA at the 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 7-11 April.Mr.

Quezon City, Philippines — During the East Asian Seas Congress 2006, the role of each stakeholder was highlighted as a crucial element in ocean protection, development and governance.

Manila, Philippines — USAID's environmental project Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Asia (SCOTIA) - Philippines recently held its end-of-project conference to share best practices with local governments and resorts outside of its project sites. These project sites included leading coastal tourism destinations like El Nido, Panglao island, Mactan island, Balayan Bay, Moalboal and Puerto Galera.The primary message of the conference was that proper environmental management is critical for protecting the tourism value of our country.

RO Korea — NOWPAP has recently increased exchange with partners through participation in a number of international meetings and workshops.On 7-10 April, NOWPAP activities were presented at the 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands (attended by over 400 patricians from 70 countries).

Batangas Province, 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?