The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – MIMAROPA Region, partner agencies and groups converged in a milestone event that institutionalizes the Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (PMFPC) in Romblon, September 6.
In a program held at Dob’s Events Place in Odiongan, officials and representatives from DENR MIMAROPA, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Agriculture, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Bayay Sibuyanon, signed a Pledge of Commitment to perform “a collective mission of safeguarding the environment,” and “to diligently develop and implement strategies aimed at the sustainable use of these critical natural resources.”
Sharing the commitment to protect the forests of Romblon were DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Felix Mirasol, Jr., PENRO Cesar Odi, Management Services Division Chief Thelmo Hernandez, Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park Protected Area Superintendent Joybert Mijares, Sibuyan Sub-Station Chief Manuel Romero and Monitoring and Enforcement Section Chief Arlyn Balibag; Provincial Director Orville Mallorca (DTI), Station Commander CG LCDR Sean Jayner Cabral and Hermel Arroyo (PCG), Eva Santillan (PPA), PEMS Willer Arellano and PAT Cloyd Dan Acosta (PNP Maritime Group), Helen Grace Q. Bantang (NCIP), Al Fetalver (DA), John Karl M. Mago (CIDG), Gelli Ann A. Carpio (DSWD) and Elizabeth Ibañez (BS).
The strengthened collaboration came in timely as PENRO Odi reported the current status of forest cover in the province. For the period 2010 to 2020, Romblon’s total forest cover increased by 50.4%, rising from 16,277 ha. to 24,360 ha. This indicates overall improvement in forest ecosystems, with notable growth in open and closed canopy forests.
Despite the positive trends however, the PENRO pointed out that illegal activities, such as timber poaching, charcoal making, and illegal gold mining persist in Romblon, underscoring the continued need for enhanced forest protection and enforcement and at the same time address the socio economic development of the community, through an institutionalized PMFPC.
The activity was held pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 17, dated May 20, 1995, which institutionalizes a MFPC to be composed of representatives from various sectors of the community to come together and be partners in the government’s forest protection efforts; and Executive Order No. 23 dated February 1, 2011, which created the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force composed of the DENR, Department of the Interior and Local Government, PNP, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Besides serving as the collection point for information on illegal forestry activities; PMFPC is also tasked to regularly receive and discuss reports from DENR specific to routine and special monitoring, apprehension and prosecutorial activities; advise DENR and other relevant parties on these activities; publicize the committee’s discussions and findings, except where treated as confidential; directly oversee the public awareness and other alternative livelihood programs; and mobilize the members’ network in support of forest protection activities.
