DENR-7, Danao execs sign pact on forest, land use

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Danao City government for the formulation of a Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) towards effective and efficient management, protection, and sustainable development of its forests and forestlands in the upland areas.

Isabelo R. Montejo, DENR-7 executive director, said that both parties agreed to collaborate and combine their human, technical, and material resources for the improvement of environmental governance in Danao City.

Signing the MOA with Montejo was Danao City Mayor Ramon H. Durano, VI and other key environment officials of the DENR-7 and the local officials.

Under the MOA, the DENR will lead and conduct different training workshops and field level activities in pursuing the preparation of the FLUP; assist in the preparation of the executive order for the members of the city or municipality FLUP technical working group; and provide guidance in the legitimization and adoption process of the plan.

Danao City promised to allocate an initial amount of P600,000 to support the preparation of the FLUP and or coastal resource management plan and other related activities.

Montejo earlier urged all the local government units in Central Visayas to formulate a provincial or municipal land use plan integrating the three important components; the disaster risk and reduction and management, integrated coastal resources and management, and forest land use.

Montejo said that DENR is willing to extend the necessary technical assistance and support in the formulation and approval of the said plan at the municipal, city or provincial level as it calls for strong and meaningful collaborative efforts among the various stakeholders.

A FLUP is a strategic framework for making land and resource use decisions for a given area. The planning process strives for balance among all forest values - environmental, economic and social, the statement reads. (FREEMAN)