903rd Brigade proposes Bayanihan Eco Park in Donsol, Sorsogon

The 903^rd Infantry Brigade has proposed the development of an eco park in Sitio Magaragad, Barangay Sibago, Donsol, Sorsogon. This is expected to complement the tourist attraction offered in Barangay Dancalan of the same municipality where the butanding has gained international attention.

In pursuit of IPSP Bayanihan, the Brigade plans to initiate the conduct of development projects in the cleared municipalities of Donsol, Pilar and Castilla, all of Sorsogon. In collaboration with other stakeholders, it is the intent of the unit to select a barangay that will be the focus of its development efforts. This is in contrast to the previous method of distributing projects among several barangays. By focusing in one area, real development could be immediately seen and felt by the residents. And the benefits could spread to the adjoining areas.

The first focus area of the Brigade is Brgy Pandan, Castilla, Sorsogon where the unit initiated “Bayanihan sa Brgy Pandan”.  Through the soldiers’ initiative, a two classroom building is now being constructed in Pandan High School. ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. will pay for the materials while LGU Castilla will shoulder the cost of labor. Also, the Brigade solicited scholarships for its six “Bayanihan Iskolars” who are now enrolled in Bicol University and The Lewis College in Sorsogon City. The residents are also being organized for possible livelihood programs.

The unit has chosen Brgy Sibago as its focus barangay in that area.

The municipality of Donsol attracts local and foreign tourists during the months from December until May every year when whale sharks, known locally as butanding, visit the waters in the area. During this period, the people earn extra income from the tourists who usually stay in Brgy Dancalan.

The Brigade sees Brgy Sibago as an addition to Brgy Dancalan as a tourist attraction. The beach is beautiful and more suited for swimming even for children. There is a mangrove plantation, although there is still a large area that needs to be planted. Fireflies abound in the evening which could interest tourists. And according to the residents, the butanding is seen in the sea fronting the barangay. They even claim that the butanding first gained attention when their fishermen caught one in their area. The presence of the magroves also offers food for the butanding.

While there is still much to be done to attract tourists to the area, the Brigade sees the potential of the barangay and its effects to the livelihood of the people. So the unit formulated a proposal to establish a “Bayanihan Eco Park” in Brgy Sibago. The unit plans to encourage the participation of all possible stakeholders for the project.

So in order to gain their commitment, a Pledge of Commitment Ceremony was conducted in Sitio Magaragad on August 23, 2011. A total of 125 participants coming from several local and national government agencies, non-government organizations and civil society organizations were hauled to the site. This number excludes some children and parents coming from the barangay who participated in the activity. There were seventeen (17) organizations with respective heads and representatives from LGU, LGAs, NGOs, CSOs, POs and the military/police that sent their delegations.

During the program, Barangay Chairman Noel G Castro welcomed all the participants to the occasion. Col Felix Castro Jr, the Brigade Commander, explained the concept of an eco park in Brgy Sibago which will benefit not only the residents in the area and the whole municipality but also the province of Sorsogon. He introduced a new meaning for the letter L formed by a fist with the extended thumb and little finger – “Love ko ang Kalikasan”- which gained everyone’s agreement. He also cited the need for everyone to help in their own way so that the project will be achieved. Thus, the messages from the different heads of participating organizations included their commitment to the project.

It was the consensus that a Memorandum of Agreement will be crafted that will bind all stakeholders to their commitments to the establishment of Bayanihan Eco Park. A formal signing will be scheduled at a later date.

After the ceremony was the planting of mangrove propagules and the clean-up of the coastal area. Before everyone dispersed for the planting, the propagules were blessed by Bro. Florencio Gorordo.

A total of 1,500 mangrove propagules were planted by the participants as accounted by PADABAKA and WWF personnel within an estimated area of about a quarter of a hectare. Likewise, an estimated area of two hectares was cleaned of non-biodegradable materials during the clean-up along the coastline.

A boodlefight was held for lunch which offered the civilians a taste of military life. It was a new and exciting experience for them. For posterity, each group took time for picture taking before everybody left at 1430H, despite the weather brought by Typhoon Mina. The rains did not dampen the mood of the participants who got wet and dirty.

The travel back was also very memorable as parts of the road had become flooded. The group had to stop twice and wait until the water receded before they could proceed. The situation actually strengthened the resolve of everyone to pursue the eco park project, seeing before them the floods caused by the people’s neglect of the environment.

During an interview by UNTV, Col Castro said that the Brigade will initiate the crafting and signing of the MOA for the implementation of the Bayanihan Eco Park Project. He explained that the mangrove plantation is also part of their task under the National Greening Program of President Aquino. He reiterated his unit’s commitment to pursue worthy endeavors such as these.