By Kurt Lansangan
BOAC, Marinduque, Philippines — Marinduque was selected as one of three main island sites for the Integrated Management of Small Island Landscapes and Seascapes (ISLA) Project alongside Camiguin and Panaon Island in Southern Leyte.
During the project’s inception workshop held on Oct. 6 at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Marinduque, the province was selected under the $5.3-million Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant.
The workshop brought together the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), provincial and municipal local government units, national government agencies and other stakeholders involved in environmental management and climate resilience.
The project is currently in its Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase, where the project document and baseline information are being developed to guide its implementation. The phase also includes identifying priority core zones, establishing environmental and social safeguards, determining co-financing requirements and preparing plans for community and stakeholder engagement.
For Marinduque, the selection comes amid continuing concerns over the protection of its natural resources and water security. Only about 23 percent of the province’s 95,000-hectare land area remains covered by forests, with these areas serving as important recharge zones for the water table.
The province also faces climate-related risks, including severe El Niño events that can affect water availability and agricultural activities. These concerns are further compounded by long-term environmental issues associated with the Marcopper mining disaster.
Through the ISLA Project, participating agencies and local stakeholders will work toward integrated management of the island’s land and marine ecosystems, with focus on protecting critical natural resources, strengthening climate resilience and addressing water security concerns.
Full implementation of the project is targeted for 2028 following the completion of the preparation phase, including baseline studies, project planning, safeguards, co-financing arrangements, and stakeholder consultations. (KL/AS/JBG/PIA-Marinduque.
