Without a clear, common vision, even the most laudable initiatives can only muddle through.  Visions are not enough, though.  It is important that all these broad concepts be filtered and reduced down to a realistic plan such as this.  I congratulate the stakeholders of the Davao Gulf, and the leadership of both the Davao Gulf Management Council and the Save Davao Gulf Foundation, for seizing this signal opportunity to come together and collectively craft this gulf management plan.  This process has been a unique experience, even for WWF, in the sense that it is stakeholder initiated, stakeholder managed and even stakeholder funded.  Not many conservation and development initiatives can make this claim.  This is another feather in the cap of the Davao Gulf.

I look forward to moving ahead, as partners of the provinces, cities, municipalities and communities that form the Davao Gulf, on the implementation of this management plan in fulfillment of our common dream to leave our children a living planet.

Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan
President, WWF Philippines

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