CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office 3 said on Monday that the agency wanted to boost forest protection and greening programs in Central Luzon.
DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. stressed that the newly-minted partnership would be fundamental in the government’s quest to conserve the country’s natural resources, particularly in the enrichment of existing plantations and in the rehabilitation and protection of forest lands in the region.
Last week, the DENR and the 3rd Regional Community Defense Group (3RCDG) of the
Philippine Army (PA) forged a Memorandum of Partnership (MOPA) regarding the initiative to step-up its drive in protecting the forest lands and boost its greening programs in Region 3.
“The Army has been among our steady and reliable partners in environmental stewardship. Their consistent support is a big boost not only in our anti-illegal logging campaign but in our conservation efforts as well,” Moreno said.
On the other hand, DENR Assistant Secretary for Administration and Legislative Affairs Joan Lagunda explained that the Army served as a strong support system of the DENR in defending the country’s natural resources against environmental crimes which have grown bolder over time.
“Criminal elements have become bolder, and our ecological wealth, if left undefended, is an easy target for unscrupulous groups. Hence, we must keep watch and continue to act against environmental threats with the help of the Army,” Lagunda said.
To mark the partnership, DENR ASec Lagunda, DENR RED Moreno, Army Reserve Commander Major General Fernando Felipe, and 3RCDG Commander Col. Roberto Sarmiento led the ceremonial signing of the MOPA.
Under the MOPA, the Ready Reserve Units (RRU) of the 3RCDG will adopt a non-contiguous 20-hectare existing plantation in each province.
These areas identified by provincial and community offices of the DENR here will be planted with endemic species, and the RRU shall be in charge of its maintenance and protection needs.
For his part, Major General Felipe vowed to continuously support the DENR in its environmental protection programs, noting that achieving environmental sustainability is paramount to realizing just and lasting peace.
In Central Luzon, forest protection activities have been successfully done in collaboration with the Army and other law enforcement agencies, which has resulted in the apprehension of over 2.5 million pesos-worth of suspected illegal forest products and the filing of cases against over 40 individuals allegedly involved in these illegal activities.
