DENR-CAR braces for more forest fires

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) is all set for the dry season.

Taking into account the Fire Prevention Month celebrated in the Philippines every March, DENR-CAR Regional Office in Baguio City reminded all of its field offices to strengthen their fire management prevention in their different areas of responsibility.

In a DENR-CAR Memorandum regional director Ralph Pablo directed all Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs) in the region to activate their respective firefighting brigades. Moreover, Pablo enjoined the PENROs to involve the community, especially members of the peoples organizations (POs) con

tracted under the National Greening Program (NGP), Integrated Natural Resources Management program (INREMP), Community Based Forest Management Program, Forest Management program and all other DENR partners.

DENR – CAR records a total area of 792.22 hectares of forest was damaged by forest fire in the entire Cordillera Region in 2017: 737.19 hectares of which are plantation forests and the remaining 55.03 hectares account for the damaged natural forest.

Estimated damaged was pegged at P7,548,010.08. Statistics show a drop of 30 percent of total damage took place compared to 2016, but Pablo remained “unhappy” by the results calling it “unpardonable” considering the number of personnel stationed in the different plantation and natural forests.

“When there’s smoke, then there’s fire,” noted Pablo, literally challenging the forest protection officers to neutralize the fire before it spreads and compound the damages.

“Counting the damages caused by forest fire adds nothing in our reforestation efforts,” Pablo added.

Meanwhile the Enforcement Division distributed firefighting equipment as early as the last quarter of 2017 in anticipation of an early emergence of the dry season in CAR and for them to be ready early.

Brush cutters and firefighting expandable backpacks together with a complete set of firefighting equipment tool set were distributed as early as October 23, 2017 to the different DENR-CAR field offices. DENR – CAR Release