BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed her support to the proposed declaration of Apayao as a biosphere reserve.
 
The secretary visited the province of Apayao on February 16 , and met with the provincial officials led by Gov. Elias Bulut Jr., DENR-Cordillera officials led by Regional Executive Director  Paquito Moreno Jr., employees of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, and other government officials in the province.

Loyzaga  told them she  supports the proposal of declaring Apayao as a biosphere reserve to be endorsed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
 
Bulut earlier said that they are working for the inscription of the province of Apayao as the fourth UNESCO biosphere reserve of the Philippines, being the last nature frontier in the Cordillera with vast forest areas.
 
Pending the declaration, the provincial government  continues efforts for  the preservation of the natural resources  focusing on wildlife protection.

Loyzaga also vowed to work further with DENR-CAR in enhancing the Apayao-Abulug River Basin Master Plan, integrating science-based information and the use of advanced technologies.
 

She also called for multisectoral collaboration from all sectors stressing that "Our work needs the whole of society".
 
The DENR officials, provincial government officials, the academe, and all other representatives from public and private sectors, also signed a pledge of commitment for the implementation of Project Transform in Apayao - a transdisciplinary approach for resilience and environmental sustainability through multistakeholder engagement.
 
During the program, two special patents were awarded to the local government unit of Flora - one  covering an area of 9,257 square meters,  and another  for the EKB Ecotourism Park, covering an area of 68,049 square meters. (with reports from DENR-CAR) (Photos: DENR-CAR)