DENR, mediamen join efforts to conserve protected areas in Western Visayas
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Press Para sa Kalikasan (PRESS KA!) agreed to pool their efforts together in pushing for the conservation and promotion of identified protected areas in Western Visayas, particularly the Bulabog Puti-an National Park (BPNP) in Dingle, Iloilo.
Just recently, the DENR represented by its regional executive director Lormelyn E. Claudio and PRESS KA! through its president Francis Allan Angelo, editor of the Daily Guardian, signed an agreement on the matter.
Claudio said it was the first time in the history of the DENR that media practitioners have expressed willingness to become a partner in one of their endeavors.
"The media are excellent channels to instill good ideas that will promote wholesome values and practices for responsible actions of individuals towards the protection and conservation of our environment and natural resources," she said.
Angelo said he would want to see the partnership extended beyond the 10-year period as stipulated in the agreement.
Under the deal, members of PRESS KA! shall rehabilitate and develop five of the 847.30 hectares of the BPNP and plant it with endemic forest tree species.
They will also adopt the Maestranza Cave, one of the caves found inside BPNP, promote the conservation and protection of the region's coastal and marine resources, and assist and conduct in the information, education and communication campaign of the DENR.
The DENR, on the other hand, shall guide PRESS KA! and provide the newsmen with technical assistance and support as they perform their tasks stipulated in the agreement. (PNA)