LUNA, Apayao – The Apayao Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos (BRyA) technical working group, headed by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Henry Caluducan, convened to address the technical comments from the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (PH NatCom or UNACOM) regarding the province’s Dossier, a collection of documents on the proposed Biosphere Reserve of yApayaos.
The response to the feedback is necessary for the evaluation of its application to become the fourth UNESCO recognized biosphere reserve in the Philippines.
The provincial government has been working hard on this endeavour starting even before the pandemic years to obtain the inscription being the last nature frontier in the Cordillera with vast forest areas. Last year, the technical working group submitted the Dossier for evaluation to UNACOM and later received comments on some points needing improvement.
The technical comments include the proposed name of the Biosphere Reserve, maps and zonation, management plan, and revision on terminologies as well as securing agreement granting non-exclusive rights.
During the virtual meeting held January 11, 2023, UNACOM experts provided important insights as the Apayao BRyA TWG responded to the technical comments.
Engr. Caluducan, Atty. Romeo Bravo and EnP Mark Menor, after the meeting, informed the group of a seminar workshop which they will conduct on January 22 to 26, 2023 to finalize the needed revisions and include lacking documents.
Caluducan likewise encouraged members to work harder to get the Biosphere Reserve Inscription which they have dreamt of having for many years.
It is expected that the revised Dossier will be submitted on February 9 to UNACOM and the evaluation of Apayao’s application for the Biosphere Reserve UNESCO Inscription shall follow in March until June this year. If everything goes well, said inscription shall be awarded next.
The inscription as UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve in Apayao would mean that areas in the province become protected for biodiversity conservation. There are only three provinces in the Philippines which got the approval – Albay, Palawan and Puerto Galera. By PG of Apayao
