8 Mayors from Bulacan and Pampanga Sign MOA to Tackle Climate Change Together

18 July 2017, Malls, Bulacan. Gatherered at La Consolation University campus in Malls, the 8 Mayors agreed “to establish, operate and sustain a formal organization that shall be known as the ALYANSA NG MGA BAYBAYING BAYAN SA BULACAN at PAMPANGA (ABB-BP) and bind themselves to the terms and conditions stated hereunder”.

The agreement was made and entered among (pictured above):

The City Government of Malolos, Bulacan, represented by the Mayor, Hon. Christian D. Natividad, herein after regarded as “LGU-Malolos”;
The Municipal Government of Bulakan, Bulacan, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Patrick Neil F. Meneses, herein after regarded as “LGU-Bulakan”;
The Municipal Government of Calumpit, Bulacan, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Jessie P. De Jesus, herein after regarded as “LGU-Calumpit”;
The Municipal Government of Hagonoy, Bulacan, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Raulito T. Manlapaz Sr., herein after regarded as “LGU-Hagonoy”;
The Municipal Government of Macabebe, Pampanga, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Anette F. Balgan, herein after regarded as “LGU-Macabebe”;
The Municipal Government of Masantol, Pampanga, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Danilo S. Guintu, herein after regarded as “LGU-Masantol”;
The Municipal Government of Obando, Bulacan, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Edwin C. Santos, herein after regarded as “LGU-Obando”; and
The Municipal Government of Paombong, Bulacan, as represented by the Mayor, Hon. Maryanne P. Marcos, herein after regarded as “LGU-Paombong”;
The Jessie M. Robredo Institute of Governance of De La Salle University, as represented by Dr. Francisco Magno, herein after regarded as DLSU-JRIG; and
Engr. Angel L. Cruz, Jr, as proponent of this alliance and representative of the private sector.

Private Sector representative and speaker, Marcelina “Ace” Itchon, CEO of Aspen Philippines, spoke about her childhood memories in Bulacan when the floods were not as much of a daily affair or matter-of-fact as they are now. She also introduced FEED President Ofelia Bakker-Mananquil as a fellow Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) awardee and how they share their environmental advocacies, stating: “Neither the government, nor private, public or NGO sectors alone can tackle the climate changes happening across our province; which is why this multilateral MOA is instrumental to our ability to deliver integrated solutions for our community, whether it be public schools, local government offices and parents of the children who will inherit this Earth tomorrow. Let’s make this happen!”

VISION – MISSION of ABB-BP

Vision

An alliance of cooperating local government units and communities along the coast of Bulacan and Pampanga in the Manila Bay, that creates and implements strategies in order to adapt to the general challenges brought about by climate change.

(Samahan ng nagkakaisang pamahalaan at pamayanan ng Bulacan at Pampanga sa baybayin ng Look Maynila, na lumilikha at nagtataguyod ng mga pamamaraang angkop sa pangkalahatang hamon ng nagbabagong klima at panahon).

Mission

Pagtibayin at paglapat-lapatin ang mga batas pangkalikasan higit sa lahat ang sa pangkatubigan;
Panindigan at isakatuparan ang mga napagkaisahang gawain;
Pagsama-samahin ang kani kaniyang kakayahan at humanap ng karagdagang suporta;
Imulat at hikayatin sa aktibong pakikilahok ang mga mamamayan sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas;
Ipakilala ang alyansa at tuloy tuloy na makipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan at mga samahan sa loob at labas ng bansa.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH LGU

Under this agreement, each member LGU shall support the planning and implementation of programs and projects that will address the challenges faced by the alliance through but not limited to the following:

Appoint two (2) representatives from the respective LGU that shall become members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the alliance. The representatives should be permanent department head level officials of the LGU. The TWG may source out consultants / advisers / experts in any part of the planning or implementation part;
Incorporate in their respective Annual Appropriations Fund the minimum contribution of fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) from respective LGUs to be used for the various expenses of the alliance;
Coordinate with the alliance short term and long term plans related to coastal resource management, water infrastructure and disaster preparedness; and
Host and regularly attend meetings and activities of the alliance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP (TWG)

The TWG shall be headed by the Chairperson and by the Vice Chair, from the Mayors of the alliance duly elected for the purpose. The Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship shall have a three year term.

The main task of the TWG is to:

Plan the short, medium and long term solutions suitable for areas of concern covered by the alliance’ mission specifically addressing the following challenges:

Tidal flooding and fluvial flooding
Water pollution
Coastal resource management
Disaster preparedness and management
Other socio-economic development related programs

Present to the alliance members the programs and projects for approval, and endorsement of their respective LGUs, and for inclusion in their respective Comprehensive Development Plans and Annual Investment Programs;
Present programs and projects of the alliance for endorsement to the Provincial Governments of Bulacan and Pampanga, as well as various government agencies, international and local organizations for general support and funding;
Regularly report to the alliance the status of these short term and long projects.

Click here for the full MOA: MOA ABB-BP final (downloadable pdf document)

Photo Journal

FEED in collaboration with various partners such as “One Child, One Tree” or the Hagonoy Fisheries & Farmers Cooperative, have organized various tree and fruit plantings, training and nursery establishments in Bulacan in the hopes of contributing to the envisioned “Great Wall of Mangroves” and other disaster resilience interventions to help cease the persistent rise of coastal and inland flood waters and pollution every year in the province, eating away at the last remaining agricultural lands of Luzon.

FEED supports all these activities in alignment with its Ridge to Reef (see graphic below) solutions for upland and coastal communities to live healthy, safe and productive lives. JOIN US!