Board starts probe of Pangasinan forest fires

By Eva Visperas

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan  – The provincial board has started  probe on fires that destroyed the forests in Natividad and Aguilar towns in this province recently.

Board member Alfonso Bince Jr. said fires devastated large areas of timberlands in the two municipalities.

Bince said they would invite officials from the provincial environment and natural resources office and Bureau of Fire Protection and the mayors of Natividad and Aguilar to shed light on the matter.

He said they would draft measures to prevent a repeat of the incident, which affected the residents’ livelihood.

Board member Nestor Reyes said the forest fire in Aguilar lasted two days.

Natividad Mayor Rodrigo Rafael earlier offered P25,000 to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of persons who set fire at a pilgrimage site in the area.

PENRO chief Leduina Co said she was thinking of asking help from the provincial government regarding the incidents.

Co said there are only 21 guards who watch over the forests in the entire province.