Bokod, Benguet has created an inter-agency watershed and forest protection task force that will lead in environmental protection and preservation in the municipality.
The municipal council through an ordinance has acknowledged the value of strengthening the protection and enforcement of environmental laws in the municipality through a task force.
“There is a need to create an inter-agency task force to harmonize the overlapping powers and functions of various agencies concerned with the environment,” the ordinance reads.
The task force shall recommend the filing of cases against any person before the court, agency or body especially on violations of environmental laws within the watersheds and forestlands of Bokod.
Also, it shall recommend to the municipal council the approval of ordinances, resolutions, or other actions for the stoppage of any activity resulting in the destruction of watersheds or forestland as well as recommend to the municipal mayor the appropriate actions on environmental protection.
The task force shall also conduct validation and inspection on any destruction of the watershed, conduct information dissemination and capability building activities to communities and institutions.
The task force shall be led by the mayor with members from the Bokod Municipal Police Station and various agencies like the National Commission on Indigenous People, National Power Corporation-Watershed Management Department, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Protected Area Superintendent of the Upper Agno River Basin Reserve, and the Protected Area Superintendent of Mt. Pulag National Park.
The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office will act as head of the secretariat with members from the NPC and DENR.
An amount of P100,000 has been allocated for the implementation of the ordinance.
The Benguet provincial board gave the ordinance a favorable review. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 26, 2024
