THE Municipal Council of La Trinidad, Benguet has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to turnover the management of the communal forest in the municipality.
This developed after Councilor Guiller Galwan authored a resolution seeking to devolve the forest's management to the municipality in order to gain from its existence.
“We are proposing this so that the LGU can take over the communal forest. At the moment, the DENR has the jurisdiction and control over the use of, if it can be transferred to the LGU, then perhaps it can be turned into a more beneficial area for the locals,” Galwan said.
The resolution cited the Local Government Code of 1991 stating all local government should discharge the functions and responsibilities and officers devolved in them.
Galwan added the local council is pushing for the control of the communal forest in a bid to sustain the management and development of the environment and natural resources in its territorial jurisdiction.
At present, there are four areas under the La Trinidad communal forest managed by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.
While the forested area is situated in the capital town of Beguet, the LGU has no control over it, adding development and protection is also their concern.
While the resolution awaits approval from Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, the Municipal Council is proposing to prepare a forest management plan to serve as basis of its administration.
"We need to pass this so that we can identify how to make use of existing natural wealth we have. Dapat sana mayroon pang ibang benefit na nakukuha ang LGU particularly ang mga locals sa pagkakaroon ng ganitong mga natural forests," Galwan closed.
Galwan added the forest management plan will identify particular areas for eco-tourism, and the expansion of farm industries namely coffee and passion fruit plantation.