The Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) has cleaned up tons of water lilies within the 15,000 square meters (15 hectares) lake area of Lake Sebu and Lake Seloton, the 2 main lakes of province, for 2015.
In a report submitted by PEMO – Forest and Inland Water Division (FIWD), Forester Mary Jane Manlisis disclosed that aside from water lilies, their office also removed or destroyed numerous old and rotten bamboo poles, secondary fences and guard houses.
More than 44 residents in the community benefitted from the clean-up drive conducted during April and May last year which were utilized as laborers, Forester Manlisis added.
PEMO also supervised the clean-up activity conducted by Lake Sebu LGU facilitated by their Municipal Agriculture Office OMAg) in Isla Taboco, Tabite and Pag-asa located at Bgy. Poblacion, and Bgy. Seloton, confiscating the same illegal structures in July, August, October and November last year.
OMag with the assistance of PEMO also spearheaded the “fishkill” operation caused by “kamahung” with the removal of 500 kilograms of “tilapia” in 22 cages affected by the said phenomenon.
Meanwhile, PEMO-FIWD successfully launched its Lakeshore Beautification Contest dubbed the “Search for Cleanest and Greenest Household” participated by 34 residents in Lake Sebu in which they also plan to re-launch this year.
PEMO-FIWD developed 14 hectares as agro-forestry farms in Barangays Lahit, Lanlahak, Pblacion, Talisay, Tasiman and Lamdalag and distributed variety of seedlings such as rubber, durian, jackfruit, coffee, cacao and coconut supported with vermicasts and agro-forestry trainings to beneficiaries. ,
In the Wastewater Management component of the program, PEMO-FIWD assessed12 old community septic tanks and found to have deficiencies and need repair.
Fourteen (14) Memoranda of Agreement were also perfected by PEMO last year as part of its Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) Project.
