Sun.Star: Encounter dugongs, bats, dolphins in Sarangani for P5

ALABEL, Sarangani -- For many, personal encounters with marine and inland exotic species may be a life-long wish fulfilled only by flipping the covers of coffee table books or watching the movies. Especially, if you don't have that extra money to go on sailing and mountaineering expeditions to experience nature's extraordinary creatures. But don't sulk anymore now. For only P5, up close and personal encounters with endangered species like dugongs (sea cows), giant bats, sea turtles, dolphins, sea shells and other fish varieties is just within reach. At a two-storey building located at the Provincial Capitol compound, these exotic animals can be found, albeit in already preserved forms. Aptly called the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center, it started functioning four years ago to ensure that Sarangani Bay and the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape would still exist for the next generations. "This is a unique center, the first in the country that is managed by the local government unit," said Jelyn Apura, the center's executive director. "Our mandate is to conduct environmental research, advocacy and training facility for the conservation and protection of Sarangani Bay, Mt. Matutum and the surrounding ecosystems in the Socsksargen area," she added. Socsksargen stands for South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City, a sub-regional economic grouping strategically located in the BIMP-Eaga growth corridor. On the other hand, Sarangani Bay was declared a protected seascape by former President Fidel Ramos through Proclamation No. 756 issued on March 5, 1996. The bay was identified as prime habitat and spawning ground areas for various fish species. Zaluma Gampal, one of the center's coastal resource management specialists, said the center hopes to inculcate environment awareness to the mind of the public. "We encourage students on their field trips to visit the center as part of their exposure. The ecosystem is an important part of society that should be given primordial concern," she said. Gampal conceded that instilling value of environmental concern is a tall order, especially when it threatens the livelihood of communities. "Most often, people in the communities rely on available resources. It's difficult to change their mind set when conservation measures threatens their livelihood and you don't have an alternative livelihood to offer to them," she said. For the center, the magnitude of its conservation work is indeed huge, considering that it watches over Sarangani's 56 coastal villages scattered in six towns. Under its mandate, the center seeks to establish an environmental resource databank that will serve as basis for policy formulation, management decisions, project development and information and advocacy. It also aims to pursue sustainable resource management through the principles of co-management, participatory action, shared responsibility, culture-sensitivity and resource equity. Constructed at a tune of P21 million, the center's building has facilities such as laboratories, gallery, library, and audio visual and conference rooms worth P7 million. As a component project of the Southern Mindanao Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the center also monitors the septage treatment facilities of the province's six coastal towns worth a total of P359 million. "Actually, the center's scope of work does not only include the coasts but also the highlands. If you conserve the forests, lesser efforts are needed to conserve the coasts," Gampal said. The center, manned by 24 personnel, was formally turned over to the Sarangani Provincial Government last year by then Environment secretary Angelo Reyes, even if the project life has yet to end, which is this year. The problem, according to Director Apura, was that some of the facilities ownership titles have not been changed in favor of the Provincial Government. "But we need to move on despite such set-up," said Apura, revealing they are working to turn the center into a viable economic enterprise. Otherwise, management of the center will be returned to the environment department if the goal will not be achieved, she added. The center hopes to become a viable economic enterprise through the water and food testing laboratories, which are now subject for accreditation from the Environmental Management Bureau. "It has very promising potentials," said Apura of the water and food testing facilities, citing the 497 food establishments located in nearby General Santos City alone. "If our laboratory will be accredited, among the possible clients are the tuna canneries," she stated. Presently, food establishment in the area utilizes the testing facilities of the Department of Science and Technology in the cities of General Santos and Davao. Apura said the center's testing facilities "are comparatively better" than the aforementioned facilities in terms of size and capability. Based on projections, she said the center can earn "from between P2 million to P8 million a year by 2010" through the various services they offer. She noted the center also has the capability to preserve various animal species and this can be another source of regular income. "In fact, a dugong found in Samal island was brought here for preservation. The center charged P50,000 for the job," Apura said. The Provincial Government expects the center to become a unit or department once the center proves it can be a viable economic enterprise. "That way, we would no longer depend on the provincial government for our salaries and operating expenses. It will be sourced from the earnings of the center," Apura said. The good thing also with such scenario is that the center can continue its conservation efforts on the environment as well as act as a major tourism attraction in the province, she said. Meantime, any one can come to the center, which is open from Monday to Friday, and be dazzled by the sights of two dugongs on top of each other and other exotic species many just dream about. - Sun Star