The City Council has approved for the release of P300,000 as assistance to the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), an environmental non-government organization, for the implementation of the Bantay Bukid Program this year.
The councilor, in yesterday’s regular session, passed on third and final reading
the ordinance for the financial aid.
“We are happy and grateful that the city council has again supported our Bantay Bukid Program with the LGU (local government unit) by passing the resolution authorizing Mayor Sara to sign a MOA (memorandum of agreement) with IDIS,” said IDIS Executive Director Chinkie Peliño-Golle.
The city government started last year finance assistance to the IDIS as support to Bantay Bukid program.
Golle said the money will be utilized for the salary of the Bantay Bukid coordinator and the scheduled capacity building/training for the Bantay Bukid volunteers per year.
IDIS is involved in organizing, capacity building, and monitoring of the Bantay Bukid volunteers in the barangays of Gumalang, Tawantawan, Tamugan, Wines, Tambobong and Carmen.
The Bantay Bukid program deputizes volunteers who safeguard the city’s forests, particularly the watershed areas and monitor that the people in the city adheres to the national and local laws covering the upland.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) said the city recognizes that IDIS is willing to support and become an effective partner in the implementation of the Bantay Bukid Program.
Based on the MOU, the city has to provide financial support for IDIS in relation to the Bantay Bukid Program implementation, deputize additional Bantay Bukid volunteers after due evaluation of their qualification, ensure the conduct of the annual general assembly of the Bantay Bukid Volunteers, and ensure sustainable financial support for the volunteers.
The IDIS, on the other hand, will have to hire a person that will ensure the implementation of tasks assigned to the Second Party under the Bantay Bukid Program, coordinate with the Waterhsed Management Council (WMC), Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the City Mayor’s Office on matters concerning the Bantay Bukid Program, coordinate and support the Bantay Bukid volunteers in aforementioned barangays.
It shall also coordinate and support the Bantay Bukid volunteers to ensure regular conduct of watershed, rivers, biodiversity and hazard prone areas monitoring and submission of reports, ensure submission of the Bantay Bukid monthly and quarterly reports to the concerned agencies, and facilitate the conduct of quarterly capacity building sessions and or learning visits.
It is also tasked to assist in training and deputizing additional Bantay Bukid volunteers in the city.
