Written by: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon | Photos by: Daryne T. Mayol
Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur – The Municipal Gymnasium of Bayog was abuzz with active citizen participation during the Dagyaw Town Hall Meeting 2024 – Episode 08, title “Usapang Kalikasan at Kahandaan: Sama-Samang Tungkulin ng Mamamayan at Pamahalaan,” held on November 29, 2024. The event provided an open platform for residents to voice their environmental concerns and collaborate with government and private sector representatives in finding sustainable solutions.
Bayog Municipal Mayor Hon. Celso A. Matias welcomed participants with a heartfelt message emphasizing the importance of community involvement in environmental stewardship. This was followed by the opening remarks of DILG IX Assistant Regional Director, Engr. Carmelo Enrique B. Libot, CESO V, who highlighted the Dagyaw initiative as a vital mechanism for transparent and inclusive governance.
Alvin Rex M. Lucero, Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), provided a contextual overview of the Dagyaw series, underscoring its goal to bridge the gap between communities and decision-makers.
Key reports on environmental challenges were presented by Town Hall Reporters Engr. Edgar I. Austero of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) IX and Angel Blaze B. Sumapal of Toronto Ventures, Inc. (TVI), a mining company operating in the Sibugay Valley. Their insights set the stage for meaningful dialogue on issues surrounding mining operations and their environmental implications.
The open dialogue, moderated by Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) Mayshell Doliente-Macaso of the DILG Bayog Field Office, saw active engagement from reactors Melly G. Madamba, President of the Local People’s Council of Bayog; Moody Mangagot, President of the Local People’s Council of Lakewood; and Epifanio Abel, President of the Local People’s Council of Payao. The reactors voiced concerns about ecological degradation, resource management, and community resilience in the face of environmental threats.
A synthesis of the discussions was presented by Gaesha Hazel D. Wee, CPA, MBA, Supervising Budget and Management Specialist from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) IX, who highlighted the need for collaborative actions and policy enhancements to address the concerns raised.
The Dagyaw Open Dialogue not only amplified the voices of the citizens of Bayog and nearby municipalities but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility between stakeholders. As the forum concluded, it left participants with a renewed commitment to safeguarding the Sibugay Valley and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.