DENR: Simple cooperation from the public can help avert calamity

by Lito Dar

Baguio City (10 July) — In line with government’s effort on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Disaster Risk Management and Reduction is one of the priority thrusts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

According to DENR-CAR Mines and Geo-Science Bureau Chief Geologist Faye Apil,the office is fast-tracking to finish the geo-hazard mapping in the region. Only eight municipalities in the hinterlands of Abra and three in Apayao are still unfinished, she said.

To avoid a repeat of the calamities wrought by typhoon Pepeng last year, DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat stressed that the cooperation of the public or communities is essential.

‘It only needs simple effort from them, starting from helping in cleaning the drainages, they should be also be observant on what is happening in their areas or locality especially those living in slope areas,’ he emphasized.

‘If they observe cracks on the grounds, sloping grounds or leaning trees they can immediately report it to our office as this can be a sign for a possible landslide which our personnel could see or check. We cannot be everywhere to monitor so we also need their help,’ he added.

DENR-CAR is also currently involved in vulnerability assessment of priority watershed in CAR and on massive reforestation projects. This is in addition to its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign for climate change, disaster risk reduction and other environmental concerns especially with the on-set of the rainy season.

For reforestation project, Baguilat stressed that with the start of the rainy season, they are once again advocating tree planting activities. DENR this time is encouraging group or organization to pledge more commitment to their assigned tree planting areas for at least a minimum of three years to ensure that they will maintain and protect of the trees they plant until they are big enough to survive.

‘During the Philippine Arbor Day last June 25, we already have 16 volunteer groups that joined the tree planting activity and we are already working for an agreement for each group to give more commitment on the project. We have assigned areas for each group and they will maintain and monitor their area, hanggang lumaki ang mga puno, maybe about 3-5 years bago sila lumipat sa iba,’ Baguilat said.

‘We are also pushing for a continuous tree planting effort. Kung maari every weekend,’ Baguilat added. (PIA)