Growing Network of Friends
Generous Supporters of the FSLF
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Through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Social Development Fund, four of our FSLF Kids were able to represent the Philippines at the United Nations International Children's Conference on the Environment in the USA in July 2004. The President also supported one of our young delegates to the Children's World Summit on the Environment in Aichi, Japan in July 2005.
Her support has not only been financial as the President, through her only daughter, Ms. Luli Arroyo, hosted the FSLF and the FSLF Kids during a visit to Malacanang Palace in October 2004. President Arroyo was presented the 2004 FSLF Award for her support for the FSLF Kids.
The FSLF has always been able to bring its concerns to the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). Both sides appreciate the work that the other is doing, focusing on different strategies towards a common goal. Most recently, the top officials of the DENR and the LLDA (in the persons of DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, LLDA General Manager Casimiro Ynares and National Water Resources Board Exec Director Ramon Alikpala), the FSLF and the FSLF Kids represented the Philippines together at the World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2005.
Currently, the FSLF is working with LLDA to promote the World Lake Vision: A Call to Action, which aims to convince the people of the need to protect water resources for the future. You will find a link to the World Lake Vision at: http://www.worldlakes.org/programs.asp?programid=6
The FSLF cultivates its relationship with all stakeholders to the seven lakes, specially the fisherfolk. Sitting in the Foundation's Board as an ex-officio member is the President od the integrated seven lakes' Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) currently in the person of Mang Pando Espallardo (center, in photo). FSLF and FARMC try to understand where each is coming from and help each other as the needs arise.
For more on empowerment of the fisherfolk in the Philippines, please see the following links: http://www.da.gov.ph/FishCode/c3a2s68-79.html and http://www.stfx.ca/institutes/ccbm/explorer/Pdf/Grutas.pdf
In a visit to Unilever's Heritage Foundation, FSLF members learned about the company's commitment to Clean Water Stewardship. This hopes to ensure the sustainability of an important resource, which is fresh water. Unilever has taken the lead in the Pasig River campaign focusing on the installation of a domestic waste water treatment plant, rehabilitation of the Pasig River and encouraging wider participation for the establishment of Clean River Zones. Together with their partner, Conservation of Laguna de Bay's Environment Resources (CLEAR), Unilever sponsored the participation of three FSFL members at the 10th International Living Lakes Conference.
Living up to its commitment to youth development, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation extended its support to the Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation for propagating awareness in environmental preservation. Through its Chairman and President, Pilipinas Shell Foundation gave financial assistance for Maia Azores to attend the Young Agenda 21 International Children's Environmental Conference in Stavanger, Norway in May 2005.
San Miguel Corporation is Southeast Asia's largest publicly listed food, beverage and packaging company. Founded in 1890 as a brewery, the company has over 100 facilities in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, China and Australia. Inspite of its company size, San Miguel Corporation heard the needs of FSLF Kid, Bayani Elogada, and was among the first supporters in the history of FSLF. They shouldered the cost of travel for Bayani, then a 10-year old, who was one of those chosen as a Philippine delegate to the United Nation's International Conference on the Environment.
There has been an exchange of visits between the LaSallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE) and the FSLF members in the hope of coming up with a project for the seven lakes. FSLF is impressed with the watershed flagship project of life and hopes that it can be replicated in San Pablo City. LIFE uses the brick-by-brick approach for baseline studies, which they have developed in their years of work with local communities. LIFE is headed by Mr. Ben Eusebio, who is also director of the Natural Resources Management Program of De La Salle University-Manado in Indonesia.
Through the Youth Service America, the Disney Worldwide Outreach awarded a grant in March 2006 for the construction of an FSLF Kids Disney Minnie Park along Sampaloc Lake. Several local officials and groups have contributed towards this project.
Donations are Welcome!
To receive a tax deduction in the U.S.,
please make checks out to:
Winona Community Foundation/Winona Rotary
and send to:
Dr. Gabriel Manrique
Outreach & Continuing Education Dept.
Please indicate on the checks’ memo line:
For Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation
(Philippines)
In the Philippines,
please send an email to: