Bigger role of PAMBs cited
The members of the Protected Areas Management Boards (PAMBs) nationwide, are urged to be responsible and at the same time, liable for the environmental degradation in their areas.
In a DENR press release, Secretary Lito Atienza said the creation of the PAMBs is a strong indication that the agency is working for the sustained management of the protected areas, which contribute to poverty alleviation, livelihood and employment opportunities.
The PAMBs are empowered to decide on matters relating to planning, resource protection and general administration of protected areas according to the General Management Planning Strategy.
DENR said they are also empowered to control and regulate activities within the protected areas, including monitoring and evaluation of personnel and entities involved in the areas.
Further, PAMBs are also tasked to delineate and demarcate protected area boundaries buffer zones and ancestral domains and promulgate guidelines for development projects.
Recently President Gloria Arroyo underscored conservation, protection and restoration (CPR) of protected areas, in her Executive Order No. 774, Reorganizing the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change.
In Western Visayas, there are 10 protected areas with organized PAMBs based on the records of DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Services, which include the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve, Sibalom Natural Park, Northwest Panay Peninsula, Panay River Watershed Forest Reserve, Bulabog-Putian National Park, Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve, Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park, Sagay Marine Reserve, and Northern Negros Natural Park.
In the province and City of Iloilo, the PAMB of the Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve has been playing a critical role in watershed protection against climate change, in partnership with the PENRO, Iloilo Watershed Management Council and the Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Board. ( TAWMB).
According to the DENR data, there are 107 proclaimed protected areas, covering 3.34 million hectares, under the national Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAs).
Of these, 29 are marine protected areas, while 78 are terrestrial protected areas. (PIA 6/ESS)