CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has completed the boundary delineation of protected areas in Central Visayas.
Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 executive director, said that a total of 16 protected areas have been delineated totaling to 842.1786 kilometers last year.
“The delineation is necessary so that we would be able to strengthen our environmental protection initiatives particularly those protected areas and national parks against degradation or exploitation as we try to solicit the active support and cooperation of various stakeholders,†said Montejo.
The delineation of specific PAs aimed to establish the specific ground limits and to establish the clear and permanent forest lines.
Delineation refers to the actual ground survey of the boundaries of protected areas and its management zones using global positioning system or other applicable surveying instruments or technologies with the intention to come up with a map of the area.
PAs with complete delineation are the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape in Cebu and Negros Oriental, and 14 in Bohol, namely, Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, Candijay Group of Island Wilderness Area and Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve, Inabanga Wilderness Area and Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve, Panglao Island Protected Seascape, Talibon Group of Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape, Alijawan-Cansuhay- Anibongan River Watershed.
Also in Bohol are Tubigon Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and Wilderness Area, Clarin Group of Island Wilderness Area, Calape Group of Islands Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and Wilderness Area, Carlos P. Garcia Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve, Getafe Group Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and Wilderness area, Ubay Area 1 and 2 Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve, Cabilao-Sandingan Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve, Loboc Watershed Forest Reserve, and the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument.
Montejo explained the activity is an important input in the general management plan of a PA in promoting the adoption and implementation of innovative management techniques including, if necessary, the concept of zoning, buffer zone management for multiple use and protection and habitat conservation and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, 12 municipalities and towns were provided technical assistance by the environment agency in the formulation of forest land use plan in 2013.
FLUP is a strategic framework for making land and resource use decisions for a given area. Of the 12, two cities and eight municipalities in Cebu were assisted. These include Alegria, Argao, Asturias, Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Talisay City, and Carcar City.
In Bohol, the towns of Alicia, Clarin, Pilar, and Sikatuna got the assistance.
The plan, Montejo said, should be reflective of the unique and existing characteristics or features of a particular LGU taking into account the need to protect and conserve the environment and natural resources of the area.
Montejo explained the importance of incorporating coastal resource management plan in providing information on the social and economic condition of upland and marine ecosystem.
He also directed the provincial environment and natural resources officers in the four provinces in Region-7 to closely work with the local chief executives within their area of jurisdiction to help in crafting the said plan. (FREEMAN)