KABUGAO, Apayao – In support to Apayao’s quest to be inscribed as a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos (BRyA) in the country, the provincial government held a five-day workshop to update the Forest Land Use Plans (FLUP) of all the municipalities in Apayao.
The seminar was held from November 27 to December 1 in Sta. Ana. Cagayan was the first of a series of workshops that also supports Program Alawagan, a project initiated by Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. aimed to prepare, implement and monitor various provincial plans concerning the protection, development and utilization of Apayao’s forest and natural resources.
The provincial government collaborated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) in bringing together around 50 participants from the municipal planning and development offices, national line agencies and stakeholders to update FLUP of all the municipalities.
Apayao PENRO Rainer Balbuena thanked Governor Bulut and Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang for their commitment to assist all municipalities in addressing concerns regarding their FLUP, a crucial factor in pushing for the proposed BRyA.
Meanwhile, Director of Research and Conservation at the PEF Jayson Ibañez appreciated the leaders of Apayao for undertaking the first concrete step in realizing the proposed BRyA.
Ibañez also noted the wisdom and guidance of Consultant Casimiro Olvida who has vast experience in assisting local governments nationwide.
For the next FLUP workshop scheduled on January 22-26, 2024, the USFS personnel shall be traveling to the Philippines to assist the group and share their knowledge. By PIO Apayao