On January 27, 2025, Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) and the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) formalized a partnership to provide technical assistance and mentorship to the municipalities of Real, Infanta, and General Nakar in Quezon Province.
This collaboration stems from the successful Environmental Governance Training programs conducted by TK for Local Government Unit (LGU) Department Heads in La Union (May 2024) and Local Chief Executives in Iloilo (August 2024). During these trainings, participants from Quezon Province identified priority projects focused on the conservation and protection of coastal areas within the Philippine Rise.
In a joint effort to improve coastal management, TK and IEG-SLSU provided technical assistance and mentoring to the municipalities of Real, Infanta, and Gen. Nakar, to support the development and enhancement of priority projects. Their work in Real and Gen. Nakar includes strengthening bantay dagat units through Fisheries Law Enforcement training and promoting aquasilviculture and mangrove enhancement to provide alternative livelihoods. During the same event, key stakeholders identified potential trainees, discussed the program design, and conducted a Training Needs Assessment to ensure the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts.
This partnership marks a significant step towards improving coastal management practices and safeguarding the rich marine biodiversity of Quezon Province. Gen. Nakar Mayor Eliseo R. Ruzol Sr., along with the Municipal Agriculture offices of Real and Infanta, Quezon, expressed their support for the priority project.
This project, implemented by Tanggol Kalikasan, addresses environmental justice issues in several coastal municipalities of Quezon, particularly those along the Pacific Seaboard of the Philippine Rise. It operates under the Environmental Justice Sector Reform Project Phase 3 (EJSRP 3) and is supported by funding from the US Department of Interior-Technical Affair (USDOI-ITAP) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affair (INL).