Mati puts up Marine Laboratory

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental 4 Jan – The City Government of Mati in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) has established the  DENR Marine Center.

Mr. Chamberlain Babiera, PENRO Officer, and Ms. Myrna Arbiol, the DENR XI – ICRMP Head, commended the efforts of the local government headed by City of Mati Mayor Carlo Rabat for the environmental protection, conservation and protection program that leads to the construction and establishment of the DENR Marine Center situated in Guang-guang, Dahican, City of Mati where 26 species of Mangroves are located.

Mayor Carlo emphasizes that this marine center will be utilized as model laboratory for sustainable coastal and marine management as well as other intents and purposes, especially on the implementation of the principles of ecotourism program.

It could be noted that the area is strategically situated along the Pujada Bay Corridor, a vital point of convergence in coastal resources management program of the Province as well as for bioregions of the Pacific Ocean and Celebes Sea, an extremely high priority biodiversity corridor.

The corridor plays a critical role in the natural ecological as well as behavioral requirements of biodiversity and provides linkages for migration of various species between areas. By having this facility strategically located in this area, it could very well serve as field station for marine and coastal environment research programs and ecotourism.

Likewise, this marine center could serve as field laboratory for the implementation of the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Program or the ICRMP to ensure the sustainable development of coastal and marine resources of the locality. (YPM)