Atty. Juny Vic Andaya, CPL protected area superintendent (PASu) of Dupax community environment and natural resources office (CENRO) said the two-day orientation cum capacity building will prepare the PAMO in implementing the 2023 target activities being the support arm to the 62 members of the CPL-Protected Area Management Board covering 86,168.445 hectares.

 

“We have to be ready and be equipped with environmental laws to improve our operations," said forester-lawyer Andaya.

 

To adapt to strategies and build stronger partnerships, representative from the neighboring PA located at Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve (PCWFR) was invited to discuss laws covering the PA and its operation to enhance the natural resource conservation.

 

Forester Leonardo Udasco, forest management specialist of CENRO Munoz, explained the provisions of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) as amended by RA 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) focusing on prohibited acts, rules on communities, and indigenous peoples and their existing rights.

 

Legal bases on the different activities of the PAMO was also discussed during the orientation.

 

The CPL is a PA dominated by indigenous peoples who belong to the Bugkalot, Ilongot, Kalanguya and Kalahan tribes.#

By CENRO Dupax