Region 2 boosts forest management
Credit to Author: Leander C. Domingo, TMT| Date: Fri, 06 Dec 2019 17:03:48 +0000
MORE than a hundred people’s organizations in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) were recognized on Wednesday for their contributions in government’s efforts in maintaining and improving the integrity of forests and forestlands in the region during the Community-Based Forest Management-People’s Organization (CBFM-PO) Summit and Trade Fair held in Tuguegarao City.
The three-day CBFM-PO summit and trade fair was held at the Rogelio B. Baggayan Nature Park and Wildlife Center in Tuguegarao City where POs sold products harvested from their CBFM areas. The event also served as a venue to share insights and best practices, and discuss issues relevant to the implementation of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) programs.
According to lawyer Antonio Abawag, DENR Region 2 executive director, the event also aimed to strengthen collaboration between the DENR and beneficiaries of its programs, with the aim of achieving sustainable management of forests and forest resources.
He said POs are the DENR’s partners in the implementation of the national government’s CBFM program for more than 20 years now. The program was adopted by the Philippine government in 1995.
Abawag explained CBFM aims to achieve sustainable management of forests and forest resources alongside the promotion of social justice. It also aims to improve the well-being of local communities and give recognition to upland communities through POs as partners in the protection, development and management of forestlands.
“Through the program, the DENR Region 2 has built a stronger partnership with the 104 people’s organizations who are now stewards of the more than 265,000 hectares of forestland issued with CBFM agreements all over Cagayan Valley,” Abawag said.
With the CBFM having the battle cry “people first and sustainable forestry will follow,” Abawag said the government firmly believes that when the needs of the local communities are addressed, they will take their active role to protect and manage forests, believing these are their very source of livelihood.
Also extending technical assistance to the POs are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, Land Bank of the Philippines, Cooperative Development Authority, and Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.
“These government agencies’ programs and projects that the POs avail of can empower and improve the technical capabilities of the POs in the development and management of their areas and promotion of the products derived from these areas,” Abawag added.