BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) - - Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director for Cagayan Valley Gwendolyn Bambalan recently praised the efforts of the provincial government here in protecting the watershed of the province's northern part.

Bambalan was referring to the Lower Magat Forest Reserve (LMFR), a 24,251-hectare forestland within the towns of Diadi, and Barangays Baretbet and Villaros of Bagabag town.

She also pushed for the renewal of the co-management agremeent between the DENR and the provincial government to improve and enhance its conservation and protection activities within the watershed.

"I would recommend LMFR for its declaration as a national park to preserve the biodiversity in the area," she said during the meeting of the LMFR Steering Committee.

The co-management agreement of the DENR and the provincial government for the LMFR was started in 1998 which required both parties to jointly allocate resources for the protection, development and management of the forest reserve.

Bambalan said the issuance of appropriate tenure instruments to people's organizations is being considered to maximize the participation of tenure holders and indigenous peoples in the development and management of the forestlands.

“We would like the provisions of the co-management agreement enhanced considering that there are new developments and new policies that we must conform and comply to,” she said.

The LMFR is the downstream portion of the Magat Forest Reserve which was established in 1969 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 573.

Within the forest reserve are catchment areas or sub-watersheds that drain into the Magat River which is a major source of water for the Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela.

The LMFR supports irrigation, power generation and domestic water supply, among others.

The joint memorandum circular issued in 2003 by the DENR and the Department of the Interior and Local Government authorizes the DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations to enter into a MOA with local government units to co-manage a forest area of more than 15,000 ha up to 30,000 hectares. (MDCT/BME/PIA Nueva Vizcaya)