Cong. Edgar Chatto shares the Bohol Economy practices of the Bohol Coastal Marine Resources Program. He was among the members of the panel of reactors as chair of the House Committee on Climate Change during the webinar on Philippine Fisheries in the context of the blue economy. This took place on Nov. 11, 2021. Contributed photo
“The House Committee on Climate Change, which I chair, understands the value of the blur economy in the fight against the climate crisis,” Cong. Edgar Chatto said these words as he emphasized the importance of “blue economy“.
Blue economy is critical in creating jobs, reduce poverty, and end hunger and at the same time taking action against illegal fishing, to conserve marine life and oceans, protect coastal communities from the impacts of climate change and do something about ocean pollution, according to a report coming from the office of the 1st district solon.
Chatto was among resource persons during the webinar on Philippine fisheries in the context of the blue economy on Nov. 11, 2021 organized by the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources chaired by Negros Occidental Cong. Leo Rafael Cueva.
The first district representative shared blue economy practices of the province through the Bohol Coastal Marine Resources Program (BCMRP), which includes the Coastal Law Enforcement Program, Giant Clams Restocking Program, Coral Restoration Project, Tree Growing Program, and Cash from Trash Program.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) said blue carbon is the term used for carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems, sea grasses, mangroves, and salt marshes located along coasts. These areas in the world “capture and hold” carbon, which in turns prevent global climate change.
The so called blue carbon areas also provide shelter and food for animals, help in the resilience of coastal communities, stabilize shorelines, and support livelihood and recreation of people, according to reports.
The CCC also pushed for science-based information, well-adjusted plans and programs, and anticipatory actions that include risk assessment, risk evaluation, and risk management.
The said webinar also featured insights from Commissioner Noel Antonio Gaerlan of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Commodore Eduardo Gongona, Director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Antonio Samuel Mamauag and Dr. Michael Atrigenio of the University of the Philippines (UP) Marine Science Institute (MSI).
Moreover, Dennis Calvan of Rare Philippines and Director Datu Tungko Saikol of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources completed the panel of reactors in the said webinar.
For his part, Chatto expressed the commitment of the House’s Climate Change Committee to integrate the blue economy into the overall policy of the management of the climate crisis. The House committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources its set to tackle the proposed measures on Integrated Coastal Management and National Coastal Greenbelt Program soon.
“Climate change is a cross-cutting concern. There is no one silver bullet that can rid the world of the climate crisis we are suffering nor one pill that can magically make it all better. We need to be consistent and persistent in combining various solutions to the climate crisis in order to survive and thrive in this new normal,” Chatto concluded.