The kick off activity for the partnership between Pusod, Inc. and Ayala Land Inc., (ALI) is a briefing on the Wildlife Act or R.A 9147 for the stakeholders and surrounding communities in Alaminos, Laguna.
The program started with the opening remarks led by Hon. Loreto Masa, Municipal Mayor of Alaminos. He welcomed the project and he said that this will add value to their agri-tourism programs. Alaminos has a local CoRambLan Festival which is a celebration of good harvest of Coconut, Rambutan and Lanzones. He said that in the future, the forest will be a great addition to places to visit in his town. Architect Anna Maria Gonzales , Sustainability Manager of ALI provided the overview of the Alaminos Carbon Forest Project. She shared that there are 5 pioneering sites in the Philippines and Alaminos is the first to kick off. Ms. Ann Hazel Javier, Executive Director of Pusod, Inc, introduced Pusod ( www.pusod.org ) and their conservation work in Mt. Malarayat Forest Reserve, Verde Island Passage and the Taal Lake Conservation Center. Their conservation project in Mt Malarayat was in partnership with the Forest Foundation Philippines (formerly known as the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation or PTFCF). She shared that barangays Talisay, Sto Nino and Malitlit in Lipa City, established native trees nurseries that were used in the reforestation activities. Beyond the project, Pusod has conducted organic farming trainings in partnership with the City Agriculture Office – Lipa City and Hacienda San Benito. Pusod would like to replicate their successes in previous projects, in Alaminos. For Alaminos, the result of the Assisted Natural Regeneration activities will be a Forest Park. The Wildlife Act or R.A. 9147 was discussed by DENR IV-A Forester Florida G. Morada, Wildlife Resources Permitting Section, Licences, Patents & Deeds Division. The Wildlife Act aims to protect the biological diversity. She also discussed the jurisdiction of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Palawan for Sustainable Development. It was also connoted the critically endangered species, endangered and the vulnerable species. She tackled the rules and regulations in protecting the biological diversity of wildlife and the sanctions when disobeyed.
There were more than 40 participants composed of Barangay Officials from San Andres and San Juan, Bella Vita Management, Jarton Security Group and Alaminos LGU representatives. The activity was held last January 25, 2018 at the Bella Vita Clubhouse in Barangay San Andres, Alaminos, Laguna and funded by Ayala Land, Inc.
Architect Anna Gonzales, ALI’s Sustainability Manager, providing the overview for the Alaminos Carbon Project
DENR RIVA Forester Florida Morada discussing RA 9147: Wildlife Resources Act
Ms. Ann Javier of Pusod, Arch. Anna Gonzales of ALI and Hon. Mayor Loreto Masa awarding the Certificate of Appreciation to DENR RIVA Forester Florida Morada for facilitating the briefing on RA 9147: Wildlife Resources Act.
Stakeholders and participants of the Briefing on RA 9147: Wildlife Resources Act
