Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and the Negros Occidental Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) turned over P27 million worth of ecosystem management projects to local government units and communities in the province at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Bacolod City on Monday, February 26.
PEMO turned over P27,030,000 worth of projects to nine cities, 16 towns, 37 communities, and five local conservation areas.
PEMO head Julie Ann Bedrio said that these projects are the provincial government’s response to help mitigate various environmental concerns, especially those caused by climate change.
Among the projects that were turned over were the P16.13M support to watershed management and development plan that will establish a 200-hectare agro-forestry site, provision of communication devices support for people’s organizations from 10 local government units, and provision of water system facilities.
PEMO also gave P5 million worth of projects for upland ecosystem management, which consisted of rehabilitation and conservation of natural resources, and support to farmers who conserve upland natural resources.
The office also turned over P3 million worth of livelihood opportunities to upland and coastal women of Negros Occidental.
Another P3 million was also given to support farm tourism programs in the province.
Bedrio said that they are trying to support projects that have holistic impacts to the beneficiaries while they educate on environment protection.*