By Rachelle M. Nessia

Dumaguete City (19 October) -- British Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Peter Beckingham, is in Bais City today to witness the presentation of the Bais City Integrated Coastal Resource Management Draft Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

The draft plan and ordinance are in line with the Program for the Protection and Management of Fisheries for Food Security in Bais City, a project undertaken by the Bais City government in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF) with financial assistance from the British Government.

According to Bais City Information Officer Amos Calidguid, the city government undertook the project as the LGU is steward to most of the natural resources flourishing in Bais Bay.

"Unfortunately, these resources are severely and continuously threatened by the worsening problem of coastal pollution wherein the coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves and other animal species are no longer protected," said Calidguid.

Under the said program, a series of trainings, workshops, writeshops, consultations with stakeholders, interactions and program advocacies were conducted by the city and barangat technical working groups in the 13 coastal barangays.

Joan Binondo, WWF Community Development Officer, disclosed that the Bais City Integrated Coastal Resource Management Plan and Zoning Ordinance will run from 2006 to 2015.

Presentation of the plan and ordinance is led by the City CRM technical working group which Binondo said has been instrumental in the preparation of the ICRM Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

The Ambassador is also set to enjoy a whale and dolphin watching at Tañon Strait followed by a walkthrough of the Talabong Mangrove Forest.