DENR: Mt. Arayat Nat’l Park co-management possible

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The chief of the Community Environment and National Resources Office (Cenro) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently stated that co-managing the Mt. Arayat National Park with the Provincial Government is possible.

Cenro chief Rommel Santiago suggested to the Pampanga Provincial Government to make a formal request to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) showing a clear intent to manage the said park.

He believes that a co-management will be more convenient and beneficial in promoting the Mt. Arayat National Park as a top tourist destination in Central Luzon.

Governor Lilia Pineda, in a short forum with local officials in Arayat town, expressed her desire to acquire the administration and management of the park.

She observed that the park is in a “sorry state”, as its recreational and administrative facilities are dilapidating.

"Ang ganda ng bundok Arayat. Mayaman sa likas na yaman, sayang kung pababayaan lamang natin ito ng ganito," Pineda told local officials.

The management of the park used to be under the local government of Arayat after the local government and the DENR agreed to turn over its operations to the Department of Tourism-Philippine Tourism Authority (DOT-PTA) in 2000, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 7690 declaring Arayat National park as a tourist spot.

It was learned that the DOT-PTA subsequently requested the PAMB to take over the operations of the 10-hectare resort.

This was aimed at ensuring its continuing development under Republic Act 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System.