CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) inked a Memorandum of Partnership (MOP) with Army 703rd Infantry Brigade (703rd IB) to further boost the forest and wildlife protection and save the remaining forests in Central Luzon.
DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno said forest and wildlife protection is one of the challenging tasks of the agency and has been the battle cry for many decades now.
“Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s marching order to us is to prevent the cutting of trees in our forests, protected areas and watersheds. The limited human resources with about 150 forest rangers patrolling and monitoring the region’s more than 900,000 hectares forestland pose a challenge to the DENR,” he explained.
Moreno said the partnership with 703rd IB is a welcome development in the government’s forest protection program and big boost to end forest destruction in the region.
“Collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders of the environment is vital in our campaign to end illegal logging, and the Army has been our steady partner in our anti-illegal logging campaign,” he added.
Under the MOP, 703rd IB will provide intelligence support, assist in the monitoring of illegal forest activities and in the enforcement of forestry and other environmental laws.
For its part, DENR shall take the lead in the conduct of forest protection activities, conduct skill enhancement training on forest and environmental laws and deputize all units of the 703rd IB as forest protection officers.
In a statement, 703rd IB Commander BGen. Andrew Costelo said that with or without the MOP, Philippine Army is committed and required to undertake environmental protection activities as their contribution to mother earth.
“We assure the DENR that the 703rd IB is one with you against illegal logging and in the implementation of any environmental activities. This agreement formalizes the partnership in ensuring the protection of the environment,” he furthered. (CLJD-PIA 3)
