GIZ TO IMPLEMENT PAME PROJECT INSIDE FIVE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE ZAMPEN AND ARMM

Mr. Rafael Camat Jr., Protected Area Mgt. Enhancement (PAME) Project

Cluster G Team Leader (standing) explains to Protected Area Superintendents

(PASUs) the rationale of the project during a consultation meeting held on

April 10, 2013 at the Anastacia PensionneHaous, Pagadian City.

PAGADIAN CITY - The GIZ, a German-based overseas funding institution has selected five (5) Protected Areas (PAs) in the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZAMPEN) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) toimplement the Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project.

The five (5) PAs include the Siocon Resource Reserve in Siocon, Zamboangadel Norte; the Mt. Timolan Protected Area Landscape in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur; the Pasonanca Natural Park in Zamboanga City; and the Basilan Natural Biotic Area and the Mt. Dajo Protected Area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

According to the Project Leader, Mr. RafaelCamat Jr., the projectaims primarily to enhance the management of the existing five PAs of the DENR, and to serve as basis for the introduction of necessary livelihood interventions. A protected area is referredto here as a portion of the land or water set aside in accordance with RA No. 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) purposely to preserve the plants, animals and other natural resources, and  the place where these are foundfor sustainable development, particularly in the countryside.

The rationale and the mechanics of implementation of the project was disclosed by Mr. Camat, Jr. during the consultation meeting held last April 10, 2013 at the Anastacia Pensionne, in Pagadian City, ZDS. The consultation was attended by concerned Protected Area Superintendents; the Regional Technical Director(RTD) of the Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services,Dr. Dioscoro M. Melana, the  Protected Areas and  Wildlife Division ChiefFor. Virgilio C. Ramilo and some of the technical staff of the Sector.

After the meeting, RTD Melana, in behalf of the DENR-IX, expressed gratitude for selecting the region as recipients of the foreign assistance and hopefully expect for the introduction of more foreign assisted projects, a milestone which have not happened before.(PAWZCMS-DENR-IX, PR)