BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine National Police will sign a memorandum of agreement on Feb. 7 for the rehabilitation and protection of 40 hectares of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) watershed area.
NNNP Protected Area superintendent Joan Gerangaya said yesterday that the watershed area in Spur 19, Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, has already been planted with trees, under the National Greening Program of the government.
“What the PNP will do is enhance, maintain, and protect the planted trees,” Gerangaya said.
PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, is expected to visit Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City on Feb. 7.
The PNP is a member of the Protected Area Management Board of NNNP that is spread over five municipalities and six cities in northern Negros. It is the largest watershed and water source for 17 municipalities and cities of the province, including Bacolod City, with a forest reserve spanning 107,727 hectares. Former rebels have been also tapped by the DENR to protect the remaining forest cover of Negros Occidental, under the NGP.*
