|
Sunday, March 20, 2005
N. Cotabato beefs up forest preservation
IN KEEPING with the intensified drive of the Provincial Government to protect the remaining forest in North Cotabato, the Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism Park organization and management team reconvened for the activation of their Operational Working Group (OWG).
The team, originally created in 1996 during the time of former late Governor Rosario P. Diaz, was tasked to secure the temporal and intergenerational scientific, educational, and recreational values of the said forest heritage.
North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol however revealed last week that the OWG has never been fully operationalized.
The park, formerly known as the Amas Reforestation Project in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City was previously a 645-hectare fully-grown plantation forest mix of indigenous and exotic tropical species.
It was learned that at present some areas are already occupied by "informal settlers" who have established small farms and houses in the area.
Piñol, chairman of Executive Board, said that the next move would be to put the Operational Working Group in action.
"This would include calling for a meeting for the OWG, reviewing the park management plan, and determining whether it is still applicable in view of the present realities at the ground level," he said.
The governor said that next move of his administration will be based on the recommendation of the OWG following their survey of the area.
The OWG is chaired by Provincial Agriculturist Antonio M. Balagot, with Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Cenro)-Kidapawan Ms. Sophie Manuel as co-chair.
Members of the group include Philippine National Police-Kidapawan, the Provincial Engineer, Provincial Legal Officer, Kidapawan Research Station Supervisor as the research team leader, Kidapawan City Agriculturist, Parole and Probation Officer, Amas Barangay Chairman, and an environmental NGO who is still to be appointed.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (March 20, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
