THE Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) Pampanga's donation of wood to the Municipality of Sasmuan is laudable. Under the tutelage of Penro's head Laudemir Salac, the said government office forged a deed of donation to the said local government unit headed by Mayor Nardo Velasco.
The said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provincial office is donating 118 pieces of Gmelina fliches measuring 2,060 board feet in total. The donated wood shall be used for the repair and restoration of Sasmuan's Bangkung Malapad eco-tourism site.
The Penro's wood donation is a good feat between a national government agency and a local government unit. It signals a strong partnership between said entities and an indication that the national government is helping municipalities in the latter's programs, projects and activities.
The Bangkud Malapad is great tourism site for environmentalists and bird-watchers too. I have been there a couple of times and I can say that it is worthy of visiting and preserving due to the good impact it gives to the environment.
It is an island similar to sandbars that was formed from volcanic sediments flowed from the Pasak River. Its the town's coastal frontier that is part of the Manila Bay and is made up of hectares and hectares of mudflats.
The area is planted with hundreds of mangroves where fishes, shrimps, crabs and other aquatic animals thrive. In addition, it is the resting place of thousands of migratory birds from other countries when their winter season sets in. It is an ideal habitat for animals needing refuge.
Aside from its ecological worth, it is a great tourism site not only for bird-watching enthusiasts but also for ordinary tourists who wanted to breath fresh air and momentarily commune with nature. Its an experience to visit the place.
Meanwhile, the act of the PENRO's donating wood is worthy of emulation and replication by other national government agencies. The donated wood come to good use by an area that is needed to be preserved. On the other hand, the municipal government should provide maintenance and preservation activities to the Bangkung Malapad. There are no other place in the province as beautiful as the said place.
Sasmuan can also provide other activities in the said place so it would attract more tourists local and foreign alike. If fully developed, it can become an income-generating tourism program of the said town. Nature lovers, not only animals, can enjoy the benefits of being in Bangkung Malapad.
We may hope that the said DENR-Provincial Environment Office can help more LGUs in their programs and projects. PENRO Salac is doing his job even beyond his duties and responsibilities as a government official. He is more than fit to his job as an advocate of the environment and as a public servant.
His constant coordination with local government officials makes him an asset of the DENR as he is doing his job and he is doing it well. Thank you sir for your care and concern to the environment.
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