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On a unanimous vote of all the members of the Councilors present during the Davao City Council session, ( “Sangguniang Panglunsod” ) last January 24, 2006 a Resolution No. 01863-06 Series of 2006 was adopted commending the Human Development International Vanguard Corps for Peace and Development ( HDIVCPD) in their work in fostering peace consciousness, human development and the preservation of the Mother Earth as seen in their work at the Davao Gulf that continues to benefit people, preserve natural resources and protect the environment.
The HDI Vanguard Corps’ made its initial presence at the Davao Gulf when it conducted the 7-month long Medical Outreach at Samal Island and selected coastal barangays in Davao City in the 90’s. This was done in partnership with the Davao Medical Center, the 8th Coast Guard District, Radyo Ukay and others. This humanitarian outreach found the Corps immersed in the worsening socio-economic deprivation plaguing coastal communities and the alarming condition of the gulf that prompted them to initiate the first ever Davao Gulf Swim Challenge. Ten HDI Vanguard swimmers met the challenge who swam the 6.3 stretch of sea water from Catadman Point in Samal Island to Santa Wharf in Davao City, - on a record of 2.58 minutes aimed to catch the attention of leaders, policy makers and the public on the rapid degradation of the gulf that was unabatedly being used as a repository of solid and water waste, and industrial waste that has reduced marine life population and destroyed its habitats. This also displaced coastal dwellers and fisher folks who were dependent on this resource that many resorted to dynamite fishing and other illegal methods in order to survive. The event culminated with a “Call to Save Fresh and Marine Waters” and a “signature campaign” that gathered thousands of supporters. The need to save Davao Gulf pushed HDIVCPD to play a key role in organizing the “Davao Gulf Summit Meeting” in partnership with the Office of the City Mayor, the Save Davao Gulf Foundation, Inc. and others in the 90s. Members of the Corps conducted the Gulf Social and Environmental Assessment that was used as the position paper in holding the summit. To ensure success of the meeting, John Ryan Largo, HDI Chairperson pushed the idea of creating the “Davao Gulf Management Council” comprising of local government units, non-governmental organizations, central line government agencies, academe, peoples organizations and other stakeholders. Largo together with the Corps worked feverishly for its establishment. Thus on November 26, 1999 - the Davao Gulf Management Council ( DGMC ) was officially established during the Davao Gulf Summit Meeting held in Davao City. DGMC was tasked to unify conflicting gulf policies implemented by various local government units; serves as a platform in launching a unified, concerted and well-coordinated action in addressing issues at the gulf; and effect “sustainable gulf management” – a development that enhances people lives without jeopardizing the ability of the gulf to sustain life. Last December 29, 2004 alarmed by the wanton destruction of “seamounts” at the gulf, HDI together with the Davao Gulf Management Council chaired by Councilor Leo Avila III and other partners made the “Call to Save Seamounts at Davao Gulf”. This was in response to the rapid degradation of sea mounts that has contributed to the reduction of marine life population, and adversely affected the food chain and sea oxygenation process at the gulf. Aside from these, HDIVCPD also played a lead role in organizing coastal clean-up activities in the 90s that Region XI topped other regions in the country having collected the largest tonnage of waste and mobilized the largest number of volunteers during International Coastal Clean-up activity.
The resolution was set in motion by Councilor Pilar Braga and seconded by Councilors Conrado C. Baluran, Emmanuel D. Galicia, Sr., Nenita R. Orcullo, Susan Isabel C. Reta, Jose Louie P. Villafuerte, Arnolfo Ricardo B. Cabling, and Domingo G. L’Dalodo. A copy of the resolution was recently received by HDIVCPD that was certified correct by Lolita C. Garcia, Secretary to the Sanguniang Panlungsod and attested by the Honorable Vice Mayor Luis C. Bonguyan, the Presiding Officer. Wendel E. Avisado, the City Administrator has endorsed the resolution to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for his information, guidance and appropriate action.Ian Jon Mendoza, HDI Executive Director of the Philippines, and Marc Collins Colinares, HDI VCorps National Commander gratefully welcomed the citation. Much so, at a time, when the Corps is meeting tremendous challenge in the light of the tragic landslide in Leyte, and other places, as the organization that conceived and led the “Call to Save the Mountains of the World” at Mt. Apo, Philippines last February 25, 2002 that was endorsed worldwide by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and others. This call sprang from the Corps’ initiative at the Gulf and the need to address environmental issues as a whole cognizance of the “interrelatedness and interconnectedness” of environmental issues. Indeed what HDIVCPD has started at Davao Gulf years back has today become a legacy that continues to benefit people and has transcended to become a global movement to save mountains of the world, - a feat of great international and historical significance that originated in Davao City, Philippines. Mendoza thanked the City officialdom for the recognition on the Corps’ humble contributions at the gulf and their expression of solidarity and support to the organization’s work towards sustainable development as it moves globally to spread its cause.
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