Isla Biodiversity Conservation, Inc.

The Calayan Environmental Council (CEC) was formally launched on March 7, 2007 at the Calayan Multi-Purpose Hall in Calayan Island, Cagayan. The CEC is a multi-sectoral council formed to serve as a vehicle for cooperation for environmental programs and activities among different stakeholders in Calayan Island.

Representatives from the municipal government of Calayan, the barangays in the island, the local NGO's, the education as well as the religious sector were present during the first council meeting.

At the CEC launch, members of the council discussed and adopted its Constitution and By-Laws, after which, they were organized into the different working committees and the Executive Committee. Plans for the council for the coming months were discussed, including a law enforcement training activity, rainforestation training activity and information and education activities.

Mr. Lino Llopis, Municipal Agriculture Officer, was elected Chair of the CEC Executive Committee. Ms. Bella Llopis and Mrs. Teresita Singun, meanwhile were voted Vice-Chair and Treasurer, respectively. The Executive Committee also includes the Calayan Mayor, a representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, representatives from the seven barangays in Calayan Island, the six chairmen of the working committees and three representatives from NGO's.

Isla Biodiversity Conservation, along with Fr. Dennis Maquiraya, Calayan Parish Priest and Mr. Lito Ubasa, Chairman of Magsidel West Farmers Association, was elected to become a member of the Executive Committee. Isla was also chosen to become part of the council's Secretariat.

The council was born as a result of a series of barangay consultations made in 2006 by the Calayan Rail Project team. Communities and agencies noted the lack of cooperation and coordination of different agencies and organizations in planning and implementing programs for the conservation of Calayan's natural environment. All seven barangays in the island expressed interest in joining a council that would foster collaboration in carrying out activities and that would be a source of support in tackling the various environmental issues facing the island and its residents.

The launch of the CEC was facilitated by Isla Biodiversity Conservation with assistance from the World Wide Fund for Nature (wWF)-Philippines.