DENR Region 8 calls public to help prevent forest fire

TACLOBAN CITY, April 11 (PNA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on the public to help prevent forest fire, citing the vulnerability of the region’s forest to blaze.

DENR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca said there is high risk of wildfire this summer as prolonged drought and high temperature dries the vegetation in forest areas.

The region’s forest became prone to wildfire when the felled trees and other vegetation damaged during typhoon Yolanda dried up during dry season, according to Sibbaluca.

The DENR feared that poverty may also increase the number of poachers in forests. Hunters may start a fire to chase out wild animals.

“Cooperation between authorities and the public in forest protection is very important. Minimize or avoid open burning in areas where flammable materials could ignite and carry fire to forestlands,” Sibbaluca said.

“Report wildfire incidents immediately to authorities to prevent further damage, and adhere to information campaigns on how to take care of our forests and keep it safe from fires and other threats.”

The DENR regional chief made this call in light of the alarming forest fire that hit Mt. Apo since March 26, 2016.

Historically, the region was razed by several forest fires in the last few years, including the incident that burned 78 hectares of forestlands in the towns of Balangiga, Giporlos, Salcedo, Guiuan, General Macarthur, Quinapondan, and Hernani in Eastern Samar in February 2014.

Even if the responsibility to suppress forest fires was already transferred to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the DENR provides technical support to join firefighting teams of BFP and other government agencies, and volunteer groups.

The regional office heightens their coordination with concerned local government units (LGUs) and people’s organizations to ensure the safety of people and forest vegetation, particularly in areas covered by the government’s National Greening Program.

Aside from forest fire, the DENR also asked the public to protect the region’s highly-diverse flora and fauna species from destructive activities by being responsible.

The region has a total land area of 2,143,169 hectares, of which 1,118,214 hectares are established as forestland and 1,024,955 hectares are alienable and disposable lands.

Based on the 2011 Philippine Forestry Statistics, the region has a total forest cover of 519,848 hectares. (PNA)

JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO