Mayor RDI – Sole representative for the Philippines joins UNESCO’s SeaBRnet Meeting in Thailand

Mayor Rockey D. Ilagan is participating the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (SeaBRnet) meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand this May 22 till May 26 as the sole representative of the Philippines.

Just at the end of 2016, Puerto Galera, the oldest, and one out of only three UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves (MAB) in the Country, was about to be de-listed as such. Puerto Galera would have not only made history as the very first MAB in the Philippines, but also as the very first MAB ever in the History of the UNESCO MAB program who would have been de-listed. The mission was set, safe Puerto Galera’s status as MAB.

A technical working group (TWG) was build to prevent this, potential devastating lost of reputation within the international community. The head of the Municipal Environmental and Resources Office (MENRO), Madam Jhoane Yap had a, almost unsolvable problem on hand as one of her first tasks leading the MENRO office. Working relentlessly with her team and the TWG to get Puerto Galera back on UNESCO’s Map was mandatory.

How important the MAB listing really is, isn’t really understood by most folks in our town. It seamed that a small french private club (Most Beautiful Bay Club) had a higher standing in our town then a UNESCO listing for the former administration of Puerto Galera.

Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.

Its World Network of Biosphere Reserves currently counts 669 sites in 120 countries all over the world, including 20 trans-boundary sites.

Puerto Galera became the first MAB in the Philippines in 1976 and still the only MAB Reserve who is only a town. Usually, MAB’s are bigger, whole islands, provinces at least, but Puerto Galera is very unique.

Former administrations of Galera missed to comply with any of UNESCO’s requirements, missed even to submit their yearly MAB management reports. In fact, reports have never been filed since the very beginning in the seventies, even worse – there was never a MAB Management board founded in Puerto Galera to begin with. The UNESCO had no other chance but to inform the new administration under the young Mayor of Puerto Galera, that PG would be de-listed and no longer recognized as part of the MAB program. Having had less than 6 months till the next annual UNESCO – MAB conference, it seamed all but impossible to avoid it.

After countless hours of hard work, a two day seminar with the UNESCO people, the administration, the technical working group in PG and the effort of MENRO and the Mayors Office, the de-listing could not only be avoided, but Puerto Galeras status as the only Town Man and Biosphere Reserve in the world could be even renewed. Lucky Puerto Galera, having such leaders who actually really mean to preserve the environment. Mayor Rockey D. Ilagan promised during his campaigning to focus on basic needs of the people of Puerto Galera, to preserve and keep our beautiful Municipality and their nature wonders safe, even rehabilitate formerly done mistakes.

Something to celebrate!