Davao Gulf Environmental Protection Alliance (DGEPA)
    "Service provider on coastal and fishery law enforcement in Davao Gulf"

Comprising of multi-sectoral agencies and LGUs was formed to enforce pertinent laws, rules and regulations in the Davao Gulf. The objective of the DGEPA is to develop, pilot and package an integrated coastal law enforcement strategy in the Davao Gulf building on the existing legal mandates and programs and coordinating in both administrative and operational measures to improve coastal law enforcement.

Specific Objectives:

• Facilitate integration of inter-LGU efforts on coastal and fishery law enforcement
• Facilitate enhancement of LGU capacity to enforce coastal and fishery laws within their territorial jurisdiction
• Initiate coordination of national government agencies and non-government organizations technical assistance on coastal and fishery law enforcement to LGUs
• Enhance community participation in coastal and fishery law enforcement

DGEPA : How did it start?

The Memorandum of Agreement on the Creation of the Davao Gulf Environmental Protection Alliance (DGEPA) was signed by core and support member agencies.

DGEPA: Organizational Structure

The DGEPA Chair shall be elected from among member organizations such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Justice (DoJ), and local government units, among others, that have direct mandate on coastal law enforcement. It is composed of two committees, as follows:

Committee on Apprehension

• The Committee on Apprehension shall conduct law enforcement seaborne patrol and land-based operations within the limit of its mission. Tactical operations shall be done and participated in by member agencies to ensure success. The concept of operation is to clearly identify, intercept, board and apprehend all persons including vessels conducting illegal fishing or illegal activities in the waters of the Davao Gulf.

Committee on Prosecution

• The Committee on Prosecution shall take charge of prosecuting all cases initiated and turned over by the Committee on Apprehension for disposition.
• It shall inventory, turn over and handle all pending cases in court relative to illegal activities and violations within the gulf for appropriate disposition.

CORE MEMBERS

•  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
•  PCG - Coast Guard District SEM
•  Department of Environment and Natural Resources
•  Department of the Interior and Local Government
•  Philippine National Police
•  PNP Maritime Command
•  Department of Education
•  Philippine Information Agency
•  Provincial Government of Davao del Sur
•  Provincial Government of Davao del Norte
•  Provincial Government of Compostela Valley
•  Provincial Government of Davao Oriental
•  City Government of Davao
•  Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Davao City Chapter
•  Save Davao Gulf Foundation

SUPPORT MEMBERS 

•  Bureau of Customs
•  DENR-Environmental Management Bureau
•  DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau
•  Department of Health
•  Department of Justice – Office of the Regional State Prosecutor
•  Department of Tourism
•  Department of Trade and Industry
•  Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
•  Maritime Industry Authority
•  National Bureau of Investigation
•  Philippine Ports Authority
•  Davao Gulf Fishery Law Enforcement Association
•  Kinaiyahan Foundation, Inc.
•  Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council
•  Paglilingkod Batas Pangkapatiran Foundation, Inc.
•  People Collaborating for Economic and Environmental Management
•  Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary
•  Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao

DGEPA Accomplishments

• Development of IEC Material
• Establishment of Police Environment Desk Officers
• Training & Seminar on Coastal & Fishery Laws
• Development of DGEPA OPLAN for CY 2004
• Preparation of IMPLAN (per PLGUs)

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