DENR taps communities, LGUs to prevent forest fires
DENR taps communities, LGUs to prevent forest fires
13 March 2010
published by www.pia.gov.ph
Philippines — Forest fires are becoming prevalent in Cordillera this dry prompting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to enjoin all local communities and Local Government Units (LGUs) to help in preventing and suppressing forest fires.
According to DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat, most of the forest fires are occurring in the pine forests of Benguet and parts of Mountain Province. Reports show that about 500 hectares are already damaged by forest fires.
“Our department is giving more emphasis right now on forest fire protection and we really need the help and the assistance of all the communities and LGUs as our manpower and resources are not enough,” Baguilat said.
According to Baguilat, DENR has funds for forest protection, but not enough to protect the vast forest lands of the region. DENR also does not have enough forest guards to patrol these lands. Each forest ranger is now patrolling about 2,500 to 3,500 hectares.
“We need to hire more and younger forest guards. We have more than 100 vacancies and our present guards are of old age, about 45 years old and above,” Baguilat added.
As for the status of Mt. Pulag, Baguilat stressed that the mossy forest is serving as a fire break avoiding forest fires from breaking or spreading into the top. “Kung wala ang mossy forest ng Mt Pulag, the forest fire could spread up to the top which gives us more reason to protect it,” Baguilat said.
He informed that the DENR held a meeting with the Protected Areas Management Board, which covers Mt Pulag, for better coordination and in putting up some control measures for visitors or trekkers.
We have to maintain the visitors of Mt Pulag only up to its capacity of 120 people in any given time and we have to give them orientation on forest fires, Baguilat said.
Meanwhile, Baguilat informed that the DENR has allocated P95 million for Upland Development Program for this year. The program involves reforestation and rehabilitation of the region’s uplands and livelihood for upland dwellers.
