Ex-rebels to be hired as forest rangers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 6 will soon employ the services of additional forest protection officers as part of its campaign in keeping the forest environment in its productive condition.

But the hiring would predominantly offer livelihood to former insurgents.

Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco has committed for the creation of eco-warriors out of his cash for work program and additional P500,000 for the hiring of Bantay Gubat rangers under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) or Resilient and Peaceful Community Program.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the PAMANA Program is the national government’s peace and development framework for empowering conflict-related areas in the country. It closes the gaps in development and bringing progress to areas needing the most.

Under the DENR-OPAPP Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2013-02, both agencies agreed to provide livelihood support to former combatants by creating viable partnerships through the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) and forestry-related activities.

DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Jim Sampulna said there has been an apparent success in forest law enforcement as evidenced by the volume of confiscations of forest products, number of conveyances confiscated and cases filed in court against violators.

The government has beefed up its anti-illegal logging campaign with the creation anti-illegal logging task forces in the municipal, provincial and the regional level. These task forces are headed by the DENR in coordination with the police, the military and the local government units.

Sampulna said forest protection could be accomplished through collaborative efforts from the different sectors in society. He added that Haresco also suggested for the putting up of a mechanized seedling nursery in Aklan. — (FREEMAN)