The newly inaugurated information center of the Casecnan Protected Landscape (CPL) in Alfonso Castañeda will serve as a satellite office for the delivery of frontline services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Nueva Vizcaya.

 

This was announced by DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan during the inauguration of the P1.7 million worth facility held earlier in Barangay Lublub.

 

"Considering the distance of CENRO Dupax, we make this as a satellite office not just a protected area information office. We can accept applications for permits and patents in this municipality and from nearby barangays. We bring government services closer to the people," Director Bambalan said.

 

The said information center which was rehabilitated by the DENR last year will support ecotourism in the protected area. It will also boost the protection and conservation of the 86,246.77-hectare national park.

 

"Information is very important for the tourists to value the significant contributions of our natural resources," Director Bambalan explained.

 

She encouraged the local government units and all members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to actively participate in board meetings. "This is an important venue for us to discuss policies and programs on how we manage and protect the Casecnan Protected Landscape," the DENR Region 2 chief added.

 

CPL is a legislated protected area by virtue of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems Act. Located in Northern Luzon, it covers 28 barangays from the municipalities of Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Sur and Dupax del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya; Nagtipunan in Quirino; and Maria Aurora and Dipaculao towns of Aurora in Region 3.

 

It is home to fauna species such as the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), Philippine Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis), Philippine Serpent-eagle (Spilornis holospilus), and the Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax) which is the flagship species of CPL.

 

Some of the flora premium species found in the protected area are Narra (Pterocarpus indicus), Molave (Vitex parviflora), Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis), Kamagong (Diospyros blancoi), and Kalantas (Toona calantas).

 

The Casecnan River and Conwap River are the two main rivers within the park.

 

The inauguration of the information center was attended by Alfonso Castañeda Mayor Wilson Capia-ao, other PAMB members, and DENR key officials.

 

During the activity, members of the Philippine National Police were recognized for their support to forest protection efforts in Alfonso Castañeda.#