The Blue Water Consultancy, Training, and Services, led by Mr. Luis F. Mencias, CEO, and Ms. Marybeth “Chen” R. Mencias, EnP., Head Consultant, in partnership with Tanggol Kalikasan, organized a roundtable discussion on the development of the Environmental Code, along with an ocular inspection of key areas, including the Sanitary Landfill, Slaughterhouse,
Proposed Waste Diversion Area Facility, and Lumampao View Deck. The activity, aimed at assessing the current conditions of these sites, took place on February 13-14, 2025, and was held at the Sangguniang Bayan Hall in Cuenca, Batangas.
The event was attended by the Technical Working Group (TWG) from different offices from Local Government Unit of Cuenca, Sangguniaang Bayan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), Barangay Official in municipality of Cuenca, Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), The Protected Area Management Board -Taal Volcano Management Board (PAMB TVPL), Municipal Planning & Development Coordinator (MPDC), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), Department of Interior and Local Government Units - Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (DILG-MLGOO), and some private operators.
Atty. Ma. Ronely Bisquera-Sheen of Tanggol Kalikasan served as the facilitator. She discussed the rationale, objectives, and methodology of the activity. As a process, the roundtable discussion focused on respective ecosystems with the following contents: forests, fisheries, urban areas, inland waters, air, protected areas, and wildlife habitats.
The participants reached a consensus on the current state of the abovementioned ecosystems. Also, the declaration of policies and objectives of the Cuenca Environmental Code became part of the discussion. The overarching goal of the Environmental Code was to enrich the region’s natural resources, ensuring that these resources were regulated, conserved, and protected. Finally, participants set a 10-year timeframe for the implementation of the Environmental Code, with a mid-year review to assess progress and ensure effective execution.
