Cop forest rangers to train in La Mesa
Their mandate is to serve and protect citizens, but they are also about to do the same for the environment.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to train new recruits as forest rangers and protectors of the environment at the same time as they are trained to fight criminality.
A training facility is envisioned inside the compound of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam watershed and reservoir in
This idea came up in a recent meeting of PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. with Gina Lopez, managing director for ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan Foundation, and Chito Borromeo of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
“The PNP is fully supportive of the popular advocacy for environmental protection including the preservation of the La Mesa Dam watershed as a protected area,” Razon explained.
Plans to set up a police training facility at the La Mesa Dam is in accordance with the PNP policy of being environmental-friendly through the implementation of Master Plan Sangyaman and Oplan Kalikasan.
“This is the PNP way of providing active police support to lead government agencies mandated with functions to protect and preserve the country’s natural resources,” Razon said.
The PNP chief has instructed the head of the police community relations and head of operations to jointly plan the establishment of the PNP-SAF Jungle Training Base inside the La Mesa Dam forested area and design a program of instruction on forest protection and jungle environment survival for police personnel.
“While undergoing training, our police personnel can also assist in the reforestation efforts and serve as forest rangers to protect the watershed area against poachers and intruders,” Razon said, adding that the trainees can also perform police security functions for the 27-square kilometer reservoir which is the source of tap water for Metro Manila.
Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., PNP spokesman, said initial talks have started with the management of MWSS, Bantay Kalikasan and the PNP to take measures to protect the watershed and the forest.
The PNP is also considering the invitation of Bantay Kalikasan Foundation to help provide a security system that will protect tourists in existing and future ecotourism centers throughout the country.
The 1,300-hectare reforested portion of the La Mesa Dam watershed is host to some 74 tree species like molave, narra, kamagong, dau and ipil.
About 200 more hectares need to be reforested and the PNP is committed to the reforestation effort, Pagdilao said.
The La Mesa Dam watershed is also home to hundreds of wildlife species of birds and animals.
It is an earth dam whose 179-hectare reservoir can hold up to 50.5 million cubic meters of water from the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system. It provides the four-billion liter daily water requirement of Metro Manila’s 12 million residents. – Jaime Laude
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