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.
Comments
Post a Comment