Lopez urged: Let Benguet town manage local forests

By Aldwin Quitasol

LA TRINIDAD--The council of this capital town of the province of Benguet urged Environment Sec. Gina Lopez to turn over management of communal forests to the municipal government.

Councilor Guiller Galwan said  the municipal government cannot touch communal forests within its municipal territories as they are under the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said the four communal forests of La Trinidad wants manage its existing  communal forests in barangays Puguis, Shilan, Alapang and Alno.

He added these  could also be utilized for coffee plantations to boost their coffee industry and also ecotourism.

He said there are many potential spaces in the said communal forests for the purpose.

Galwan said they will utilize the lands in the area in adherence to the laws on forests.

He added the municipality also has a forest management plan. He said that the indigenous peoples of LA Trinidad just like in any places where there are IPs have traditional practices on managing their forests.

Galwan said this will provide opportunities for the municipality to demonstrate innovations in environmental management and development in the four communal forests.

The local legislator cited the local government code of 1991 wherein LGUs shall endeavor to be self-reliant and shall also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and officers devolved to them.

He added that pursuant to the code, the DENR issued an administrative order 30 in 1992 providing the guidelines for the implementation and transfer DENR functions to be devolved to local government units.

He said that among these is the management of communal forests within the municipality.

Galwan said under  Administrative Order 30,  LGUs shall share in sustainable management and development of the environment and natural resources within their territorial jurisdiction.