BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) - - Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Giovanie Magat has called on Novo Vizcayanos to help in the improvement, protection and preservation of the province’s forest cover.

Magat said the forest cover in the province needs the support of communities to combat climate change.

“We need everyone’s support and action to further improve our forest cover. Our programs and services are ready for our partnership,” he said.

Magat presented the State of the Environment in Nueva Vizcaya during the DENR Caravan cum People’s Day at the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) gymnasium which carried the theme: "Whole of Society for Climate Change”.

He said the Forest Cover of the province from 2015 to 2020 has decreased from 183,310.13 hectares of open and closed forest combined in 2010; 169,909.11 in 2015 and 169,203.48 in 2020.

“The forest cover in 2020 covers the 42 percent of the province’s total land area of 403,758.14 hectares. The decrease in the open forest can be attributed to the increase of the closed forest cover. The National Greening Program (NGP) helped in our campaign to increase our forest cover,” Magat said.

He said aggressive tree planting activities are needed especially during the rainy season to ensure the growth of the planted trees in various plantation areas in the province. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)