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The top executive of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has called on the local officials of Peñablanca town for the protection of the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape (PPLS).
 
In the en banc meeting of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) held on Aug. 25 where barangay captains of the municipality were present, Regional Executive Director and PAMB Chairperson Gwendolyn C. Bambalan asked the local officials to be more vigilant in the forest protection efforts of the government. “PPLS is a national park. It is declared as such because there are biodiversity species that are supposed to be protected and managed. We need your support as barangay captains in our campaign against illegal logging,” Director Bambalan said as she underlined the alarming incidence of apprehension of illegally cut logs in the municipality.
 
The regional DENR chief thanked Gov. Manuel N. Mamba for the full support of the provincial local government, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies.
 
Based on the report of PENR Officer Ismael T. Manaligod, the Cagayan Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force apprehended five conveyances and 26,123 board feet of lumber and flitches worth P1,306,174 from May 12 to August 14, 2020.
 
During the meeting, the PAMB chairperson also emphasized the role of the PAMB in ensuring the protection of caves and cave resources particularly the Callao Caves. “Caves are considered protected areas and must be preserved,” she pointed out adding that any development project or activity to be done should be consonant to the protected area management plan and applicable environmental laws.
 
“We have one goal and that is the protection of the natural resources of Peñablanca. The DENR supports the initiatives of local government units and other partners but we have to abide by rules and regulations,” she underscored.
 
A technical working group was tasked to discuss and review development plans and the different instrumentalities entered for the management of the Callao Caves. Results will be forwarded to the PAMB chairperson for deliberation in the next meeting.
The PPLS was established by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 484 in 2003. It has a total area of 118,781.58 hectares with 103, 801 ha terrestrial and 14,980 ha marine.#