Saturday, November 11, 2006
La Trinidad folks seek own communal forest
RESIDENTS in a barangay in La Trinidad are asking the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to declare an adjoining forest for their communal use.
An area of five hectares, located at Sitio Kewing-Shelpi, is being eyed by residents here as a communal watershed and forest reservation of Barangay Wangal.
The area requested is the current water source of residents in the village, which is also being tapped by a non-government organization for management assistance.
Residents here manifested their willingness to maintain the forest and watershed reservation.
They are asking the DENR to segregate and eventually proclaim the five-hectare lot as a public water and forest reservation.
The Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, a non-stock non-profit entity, is currently assisting various barangays in La Trinidad in the preparation of management plans for their communal forests.
La Trinidad has four existing communal forests -- Alno, Alapang, Shilan and Puguis -- and one watershed in Busol.
Some of the reservations however are subject to private claims. (JC)
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