DENR-Vizcaya taps Army in reforestation project

By Leander C. Domingo

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office here tapped the military for development of eight municipalities that have been deforested resulting in illegal activities in recent years.
    The PENR has collaborated with the Philippine Army's 203rd Community Defense Center through a memorandum of a partnership agreement for the development of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Ecological Park and Training Center in Aritao town.
    PENR officer Giovannie Magat and CDC director Bernard Ragus signed the MoPA to enrich the existing plantations and regreen denuded lands and other areas within the eight municipalities covered by the PENR sub-office.
    Magat expressed support for the greening program of the PA and appealed to the public to support the uniformed personnel in forest development and protection.
    "The DENR is always ready to extend technical assistance in this endeavor and provide quality planting materials to ensure high survival of the plantations," he said.
    Col. Bernard Ragus, 203rd CDC personnel head, assured their commitment to the environment programs through bayanihan (community spirit).
    Army reservist Flodemonte Gerdan, a former Nueva Vizcaya board member, expressed hope illegal activities in forests will stop through the PENR and PA partnership.