ITTO foresters impressed by achievements of CBFM program

A team of foresters representing the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) commended the community-based forest management (CBFM) project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The ITTO team, which is composed of foresters Marc Dourojeanni, Juan Seve and Bahararuddin Ghazali, visited the CBFM area in Barangay Buenavista in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya last month.

The foresters noted the effectiveness of the program in getting the cooperation of the local government units and the members of the Buenavista Upland Development Advisory Council in capacitating the community in increasing forest cover and regeneration of the once barren lands within the 3,000-hectare CBFM area.

Started in 1998, the project had financial support from the ITTO and is now being managed by the Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong, and Kakilingan Upland Farmers’ Association under a CBFM agreement with the DENR. 

It is considered a model community.  Significant parts of its area have been turned into plantations and agroforestry farms. Its natural and secondary forests are also being protected from illegal forest activities. 

It once received an award for sustainable development given by the Nueva Vizcaya provincial council. A similar award was also given by the regional council for sustainable development. — Benny Enriquez