Ilocos Norte mayors step up campaign to prevent forest fires

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—Local chief executives from the upland towns of Ilocos Norte urged environment law enforcers to increase their patrolling activity in forest areas frequently hit by fire.

Aside from the installation of warning signs and penalty of violators, Carasi Mayor Rene Gaspar also urged his constituents to help prevent forest fire, affecting several tree plantation projects covered by the National Greening Program (NGP) of the national government.

Earlier, a forest fire hit some NGP covered areas in Carasi planted with full-grown Eucalyptus trees, gmelina and other indigenous trees planted by local residents themselves.

Mr. Gaspar said the government has been investing millions of pesos in this NGP project yet these are just put to waste due to unscrupulous individuals.

To increase patrolling activity, the mayor has requested the hiring of at least 30 barangay ranger officers to ensure the protection and management of these projects.

In neighboring Piddig town, Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen has also offered at least P20,000 cash incentives to informants who could identify those who are causing fire in the uplands.

The occurrence of forest fires happens every year during the hot summer months of April and May as it has been a traditional practice in charcoal making or the so-called slash-and-burn farming, wherein unchecked fire remnants and strong habagat winds would spark a bush fire.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in coordination with the Bureau of Fire continue to conduct information and education drive on forest fire prevention which may harm life and property including nearby communities.

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