DENR inks pact with WVCST on protected area dev't planning
Iloilo -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources thru the Protected Area Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) for the architectural and development planning of Bulabog-Puti-an Natural Park (BPNP) in Dingle, Iloilo, just recently.
This activity is in line with the thrust of the DENR to promote awareness, appreciation and understanding of the importance and benefits derived from our environment and natural resources. Bulabog-Puti-an Natural Park (BPNP) was identified as the pilot site among Protected Areas in the region for Ecotourism Development and Biodiversity Conservation. This is also pursuant to the Protected Area Management and Zoning embodied in R.A. 7586 known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) BPNP proposed to establish and/or delineate the BPNP into different management zones in order to promote ecoto urism potentials of the area through wildlife conservation and protection activities.
Under this agreement, the DENR under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Julian D. Amador through the Protected Areas Superintendent (PASu) shall provide information and other data necessary in the conduct of site planning and architectural programming; allow the access of students and instructors from the Architecture Department of the College to the site identified by the PASu for inclusion to the proposed management zones; provide any available drafting tools and materials for finalization of the plans and allow the College to establish its own cottage under Adopt-A-Cottage Program within the area designated for establishment of visitors cottage at BPNP at their own expense following the prescribed design as approved by the PAMB.
On the part of the WVCST represented by its President Dr. Renato V. Alba, they shall provide the conceptual planning and preliminary drafts of BPNP Development Plan; assists in the preparation and presentation of drawing and shall provide and prioritize the inclusion of detailed Development Pilot Project for CY 2005 that include the building plan and design of the proposed visitor's cottages and landscaping of office facilities.