BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) - - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) will be focusing its efforts and resources on the rehabilitation of riverbaks and relocation of illegal settlers within geo-hazard areas as part of the national government's Build Back Better BBB) initiative.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Forester Edgar Martin said they are now in the process of identifying areas which are prone to flash floods and landslides in the province.

He said the towns of Bayombong, Aritao, Solano, Sta. Fe and Bambang have been initially tagged for recovery and rehabilitation activities under the BBB initiative.

"We have started planting bamboos and other suitable tree species in the towns of Aritao, Dupax del Norte, and Bagabag to protect riverbanks from erosion," Martin said.

He said the BBB initiative also requires recovery of 20 meter easement areas which are prohibited for human settlement and land improvement.

Martin said this will involve surveying of low lying areas with the acquisition of needed equipment which will be done initially in barangay Vista Alegre in Bayombong, Bambang and barangay Ineangan in Dupax del Norte town.

"Illegal settlers living in these easement areas and geo-hazard areas will be relocated with teh help of concerned local government units," he said.

Martin also identified the initial proposed relocation sites for illegal settlers such as the 10 hectare lot in barangay Bangaan for illegal settlers in Bayombong town, the 2.1 hectare relocation site in barangay Boliwao for illegal settlers from barangay Runruno in Quezon town and another in Dupax del Norte town.

He said they will keep close watch over the entry of illegal settlers to geohazard areas in barangay Runruno to prevent human settlement in these areas.

"With the initiative of FCF Minerals Corporation and the LGU of Quezon, we have reduced the number of illegal settlers after 337 households there were already settled and eventually left their abode and returned back to Ifugao, Quirino and other neighboring provinces," Martin said.

He said filing of legal cases against the illegal settlers who refuse to leave the geo-hazard areas will be done to reduce if not totally eradicate the presence of ilelgal settlers in barangay Runruno in Quezon town.

"We do not want another disaster and tragedy to happen in barangay Runruno that is why we should cooperate with each other. I hope that we can work this togetherfor their own safety and protection," Martin said. (MDCT/BME/PIA Nueva Vizcaya)