The Isabela Coastal Development Office (ICDO) and Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Isabela State University (ISU) recently held a Forum on Environmental Protection and Conservation dubbed "Voice of the Sierra Madre" at the De Venecia Hall, ISU Echague Main Campus in Echague town.

 

The forum aims to raise awareness about the importance of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) – the last frontier of biodiversity.

 

The envi confab was participated in by youth or student leaders, government, private, and business sector representatives featuring experts on climate change mitigation and marine ecosystem biodiversity, Sierra Madre overview and the current coastal state, ecotourism management, and environmental programs and projects of the Provincial Government of Isabela.

 

Resource speakers were PENRO Isabela Park Operations Superintendent V Nestor Lorenzo and Ecosystems Management Specialist II Luzviminda Rosario, ISU Cabagan College of Forestry Campus Planning and Development Director, and Isabela Provincial Administrator Atty. Noel Manuel Lopez.

 

6th Congressional District Representative Faustino Dy V pointed out in his keynote address that House Bill (HB) No. 1214 seeks to create a body to protect the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

 

The HB which Dy authored calls for making Sierra Madre Conservation and Development Authority.

 

The forum allowed participants to engage in discussion and exchange of ideas on how the different sectors and stakeholders can work collaboratively to protect the environment.

 

During the Covenant Signing for the conservation and protection of Mother Earth, participants and speakers pledged to respect and honor Mother Earth, protect the environment, promote sustainability, support conservation efforts, take responsibility, and educate others.

 

The Multi-Sectoral Network for Sierra Madre Protection is composed of the Provincial Local Government Unit, Municipal LGUs, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, ISU, youth and women's sectors, and DENR.#

(PENRO Isabela)