Alcoy, Argao, Dalaguete uplands now protected

CEBU, Philippines - The mountain ranges of the towns of Alcoy, Argao and Dalaguete have been identified as new key biodiversity areas through the New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) -7.

The DENR with Alcoy Mayor Nicomedes delos Santos, Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos, Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante and Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (CBCFI) Executive Director Renato de Rueda inked the agreement at Argao Municipal Training Center, which is for the protection of the 15,000-hectare Nug-as Forest-Palinpinon Range-Mount Lantoy.

The areas of cooperation among the three local government units, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and CBCFI, include the development, adoption and implementation of a biodiversity conservation management plan consistent to the existing forest and comprehensive land use plan, promotion and practice of good governance including transparency, accountability and participation in the decision-making process.

The agreement is a product of the joint effort of the DENR along with its partner institutions in the establishment and effective management of biodiversity conservations areas in Cebu.

The Nug-as Forest, Palinpinon Range and Mt. Lantoy are among the 117 terrestrial areas as key biodiversity areas (KBAs) based on criteria of vulnerability and irreplaceability.

These mountain ranges shelter Cebu endemic bird species, namely, Rufous-lored Kingfisher or Todiramphus winchelli, black shama or Copsychus cebuensis and Cebu Flowerpecker or Dicaeum quadricolor.

According to DENR, the Philippines is one of the 17 megadiversity countries that collectively house two-thirds of the earth’s biological diversity and is also one of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots due to unsustainable resource use practices.

The agreement intends to pursue active and aggressive promotion and conservation efforts on these endangered and critically endangered species through a meaningful partnership with LGUs and other civil society groups to ensure their existence.

The agreement also stated that LGUs will constitute a Biodiversity Conservation Team (BCT) for the conservation area establishment and management-related activities. (FREEMAN)