DENR seeks P3.9 million for field workers' training

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking P3.9 million for training of DENR field workers and community members in forest fire prevention efforts.

As the onslaught of El Niño continues to adversely affect various industries, reports of forest fires have increased in the country, mostly in areas declared vulnerable to the phenomenon.

In fact, in Cebu City last month, more than six hectares of reforestation project in Barangay Toong were destroyed by a series of fires. Initial observation said the fire might have been caused by the dry spell.

DENR Secretary Horacio Ramos sought for the putting up of a nationwide forest fire prevention headquarters to improve the agency’s emergency plans.

“Putting out fires must be the agency’s last option in dealing with the increased risk of forest fires as the extended drought and high temperatures have left large amounts of flammable debris in the country’s seven million hectare forest lands,” Ramos said.

The new office, which will implement forest fire control and management, will have allocation from the agency’s yearly budget.

“With the shift in DENR’s structure, forest fire protection has been relegated to the regular operations of DENR field offices competing with meager funds and limited personnel, while efforts to shore up the agency’s forest fire management capabilities largely depends on volunteerism from communities with limited facilities,” he said.

Selected DENR field officers and community members will be trained on how to handle forest fires situations, especially how to prevent its occurrence.

“Different causes of forest fires, requires different strategies. Research should be made immediately on the peculiarity or characteristics of each area and the results of the study will be the backbone of a national program on the country’s forest fire management,” Ramos said.

“Should a forest fire is already taking place, the first 15 minutes is the most crucial within which a response should have been made, thus requiring that our focus and energy at this point should be on the community level in the short term while we look at the bigger picture since global warming and extended drought are likely to be with us for some time,” he added.    (FREEMAN NEWS)