BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Executive Director (RED) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera (DENR-CAR), Paquito Moreno, Jr., delivered a message to Apayao planners, emphasizing a proactive approach to the formulation of the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP).
The statement was made during the FLUP meeting of Apayao Planners and officials of DENR-CAR, as Moreno echoed the sentiments of DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, underscoring the importance of prioritizing prevention over reactive response in addressing environmental concerns.
In his message, read by Assistant Regional Executive Director (ARED) Engr. Benjamin Ventura, Moreno said there is a need for green-natured solutions combined with gray infrastructure components to constitute a comprehensive FLUP.
This approach advocates the restoration of natural systems, such as forests and floodplains, while employing conventional methods to strengthen communities against extreme weather conditions and the adverse effects of climate change.
Moreno also extended the technical expertise of the DENR to support the yApayao planners in crafting the FLUP. Ventura conveyed Moreno’s commitment, stating, “We hope to provide you with inputs on watershed characterization, vulnerability assessment, as well as integrated watershed management planning.”
Acknowledging Apayao’s ongoing efforts in revising its provincial land use, Moreno commended the decision to commence with the FLUP update before undertaking the comprehensive planning for the entire province.
He expressed appreciation for aligning the process with the principles of scientific development and environmental management.
Ventura quoted Moreno as saying, “With the principles of scientific development and environmental management, we hope to carry out a strict forest land management system to essentially protect our forestlands and other ecological environments.
This includes controlling the scales of land for development purposes, giving utmost attention to biodiversity conservation, and emphasizing regulation and control of the use of our natural resources. This approach aims to continuously promote the sustainable development of our environment, economy, and society.”
The partnership between the DENR-CAR and the province of Apayao emphasizes a dedication to responsible and sustainable land use planning. The focus is on implementing preventative measures to protect the province’s natural resources and maintain ecological balance. By JCM