5 Barangays in Pasil to be under Protected Landscape

Pasil, Kalinga – The municipality of Pasil is considered as one of the hopes of the Philippines because of its unique mossy and thick forest and is also a carbon sink of Tabuk and even in the whole Cordillera, according to Linda Claire Pawid of Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section (PAMBCS) Cordillera Regional Office.

With its national significance, five barangays in Pasil were identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to be included in the list of the Protected Areas to save them against various threats.

This is pursuant to Republic Act 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 as amended by Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS (ENIPAS) Act of 2018.

Pasil Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Vicente Bucalen explained that after identifying barangays Bagtayan, Galdang, Guina-ang Pugong, and Malucsad as the areas to be protected, DENR presented their proposal to the members of the Sangguniang Bayan with the presence of the Municipal Mayor Alfredo Malannag Jr. and the Vice-Mayor Theodoro Mosing.

Recognizing the project’s significance, the officials approved the proposal.

“Diay inmuna nga naaramid ket diay Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA). Di nalpas, in-present da idiay region ket pimasa then inaramid da diay Integrated Area Protected Plan (IPAP),” Bucalen recalled.

The IPAP was presented on August 12, 2021 at Amdalao, Pasil attended by DENR-CAR, DENR-CENRO, municipal officers, and officials from the said 5 barangays.

During the presentation, Pawid stressed that the main purpose of the project is to protect the forest and its biodiversity for the next generation not to suffer. With this, there will be “clean water to drink, fresh air to breathe, and a healthy environment".

Mayor Malannag, in his message, said the Integrated Protected Area Plan demonstrates the integration of all the development projects in consonance with the customary laws and practices of the indigenous people.

Malannag believes that the programs of the municipal government are indeed focused on nature. He then encouraged his fellow constituents to take the opportunity offered by DENR for the welfare of future generations.

After the presentation, the mayor suggested that barangay Balatoc be included for wider coverage of the Protected Area such that the then Guina-ang Protected Area will be changed to Pasil Protected Landscape.

After the inclusion of Balatoc, the plan, according to Bucalen will be forwarded to the DENR-CAR for review.

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