MikeLigalig.com

source: pna.gov.ph

In its bid to help preserve the island's watersheds and river basins, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Mindanao Area has signed a declaration of support for the Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters (MindaNOW) program.

MindaNOW was developed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) aimed at integrating, harmonizing and rationalizing all interventions towards developing and managing of various watersheds and river basins in the island-region.

In a press statement, Steve Arquiza, 2012 Area vice president for Mindanao said unknown to many, the youth in Mindanao has done so many things quietly that helped preserve Mindanao's sources of water and energy.

“We have been doing a lot of activities on the environment. And JCI’s efforts would have greater impact if it will align its projects to a framework like the MindaNOW program,” he explained.

Arquiza, who also signed the partnership agreement between JCI Philippines and MinDA during the Mindanao Economy and Environment Summit held in Davao City in June, said the organization will adopt the program as one of its major projects next year.

He said this partnership is the "first" for JCI Philippines since there’s nothing like it in other areas in Luzon and Visayas.

JCI is the leading global organization of young and active citizens providing development opportunities to empower young people in creating positive change.

According to JCI Davao City chapter president Heidi Villanueva, JCI-Davao has been participating in MindaNOW activities since last year.

“We joined the city government of Dipolog in a tree growing activity in November last year”, said Villanueva, adding the group also spearheaded coastal clean-up drive in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte and several tree and mangrove planting activities in Davao City.

Villanueva said the MindaNOW program won a merit award for best environment development project in the recent JCI Mindanao area conference here.

Mindanao is host to eight of the country’s 18 major river basins which span to 262 watersheds across the island-region.

Its extensive watershed and river systems fuel up Mindanao’s economy providing more than 50 percent of its power source - the Agus and Pulangi hydro power complexes.

Watersheds also provide vegetation to the island-region’s major agricultural commodities making them integral to Mindanao's strength as the country's food basket.

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