DAVAO CITY – Final preparations for the upcoming island-wide launching of the MindaNOW! or Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters Program are being firmed up by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and its partner agencies in various regions in Mindanao.
A coordination meeting was held recently at the Provincial Governor’s Office in Malaybalay, Bukidnon to finalize the details of the program launch scheduled later this month.
No less than President Benigno Aquino III is expected to lead the launching of a major Mindanao-wide undertaking that shall focus on ensuring integration of Mindanao’s economy and environment to achieve sustainable development.
The MindaNOW! is the flagship program of MinDA designed to integrate, harmonize, and rationalize plans, programs, policies, and processes for the protection and rehabilitation of the 13 riverbasins and 262 watersheds found in Mindanao.
“This program seeks to strike a balance between economy and environment in Mindanao by pursuing programs and projects through ecosystems integration approach,” said Cecilia Trino, MinDA technical staff.
She stressed that the program would look into the condition of Mindanao’s forests, river basins and watersheds as Mindanao’s major production areas have now also become high risk or prone to flooding problems and related environmental threats.
A study made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has cited that as of 2010, Mindanao has only about 21% forest cover or trees and vegetation.
“This considerable drop in our forested areas amplifies the threats that we face today. Through the MindaNOW program, we hope to pursue integrated efforts involving all sectors in addressing this major concern,” Trino adds.
Among the agencies that tapped for this inter-agency program include the Departments of Environment and Natural Resource, DENR-River Basin Control Office, Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, National Irrigation Administration, Climate Change Commission, Office of Civil Defense, ARMM Regional Government, National Economic Development Authority, Tourism, Education, Philippine Information Agency, National Water Resources Board, Environmental Science for Social Change, and Philippine Watershed Management Coalition.