DENR eyes greater support for forest mgm’t program

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project for the enhancement of community-based forest management (CBFM) is likely to gain greater support from local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs), after the conduct of a series of trainers training.

Participated in by selected representatives from LGUs and NGOs involved in CBFM and other forestry activities, the trainers’ training is being held in three batches with 50 participants per batch. The training took off in Cagayan de Oro (for Mindanao participants) on May 1 to 9 then in Iloilo (May 23 to 31) for Visayas participants. It will be conducted in Luzon on June 6 to 14.

The general aim of the activity is for participants to gain essential knowledge of the program and skills on how to impart this knowledge to their respective agencies/organization in a well-organized and coherent way.

An important component of the program is the sending of project counterparts to study/observe the "Forest Management in Japan." Last month, forester Genesis Francisco, Rose Enriquez, regional technical director Ricardo Calderon and director Adeluisa Siapno were sent to Japan for this purpose.

The group observed how Japan manages its forests which comprise 70 percent to 90 percent of the total land area. The travel boosted the participants’ recognition that LGUs are the main key players in development after observing how the local government in Kamikatzu town performs as third sector company that effectively manages a hotel, biomass energy facility, wood industry, recycling, and leaves and flower business for food garnishing/decoration.

They also observed how volunteerism has contributed in forest development and management. Appropriate actions will be done by the group in order to integrate the learning in the CBFM Program implementation.

CBFM is the national program and strategy for the country’s sustainable development of its forestlands and resources. – Benny Enriquez