CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – In an aim to protect the Iponan and Cagayan de Oro rivers and residents living near these areas, the Task Force Kinaiyahan reaffirmed its commitment through a signing of a revised Memorandum of Agreement on Oct. 23.
Officials signed the revised Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the 3rd Regular Meeting at Malipayon Hall, Xavier Estates Clubhouse in Cagayan de Oro City. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-10, acting as the Task Force Secretariat, led the event.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-10 Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Ronald Gadot Sr. hailed the signing as a milestone, marking a renewed vow to collaborate to protect the Iponan and Cagayan de Oro Rivers.
The revised MOA introduces enhanced roles and responsibilities, aligning agency mandates with current environmental priorities. The updates aim to strengthen the Task Force’s capacity to tackle environmental issues and challenges, improve river protections, and promote sustainable enforcement practices.
Notable developments of the agreement include the involvement of additional members, namely: Members of the House of Representatives from the 1st and 2nd Districts of Cagayan de Oro City; the 1st and 2nd Districts of Misamis Oriental, and the Lone District of Iligan City; the Tactical Operations Group-10 of the Philippine Air Force; Task Force Lumbia (15th Strike Wing); 590th Air Base Group of the Philippine Air Force; the Municipality of Opol; and the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council.
These new members join the original 13 agencies, which include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Immigration, 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions of the Philippine Army (PA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as local government units from Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, and the Province of Misamis Oriental, alongside SULOG, a non-government organization, in the mission to safeguard the water systems.
With jurisdiction covering rivers and surrounding areas, the Task Force plans to deepen collaboration with local stakeholders, emphasizing community and local government involvement. This new, coordinated approach will help unify efforts across agencies, ensuring that all members work in synergy to achieve common goals.
MGB-10 Regional Director Rodante B. Felina expressed confidence that Task Force Kinaiyahan, with its new framework, can better address pressing environmental issues impacting the region’s waterways and communities. The meeting underscored all stakeholders’ united commitment to a sustainable future for the region’s rivers.
The updated MOA, MGB-10 said, builds on the original 2013 agreement, part of the Compromise Agreement in Civil Case No. Court of Appeals SP No. 05332. The case, filed by the group “Bangon Kagay-an” represented by Richard Nixon A. Baban, et al. v. LGU of Cagayan de Oro City, et al, aimed to curb illegal mining and promoted environmental safeguards to reduce pollution and prevent river damage from unregulated activities.
Nearly a decade later, MOA stakeholders identified the need for revised terms to tackle today’s environmental challenges in the region. (IJBD/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
