Through Forestry Laws Awareness

Communities are the best guardians of the environment. JVOFI recognizes the importance of arming local communities with the resources needed to save the environment and utilizes this for a project that aims to protect and defend the Amburayan River, a river which spans more than 12 municipalities in the provinces of Benguet, Ilocos Sur and La Union. In line with this project the Foundation conducted a Paralegal, Forest Patrol and Enforcement of National Forestry Laws Training last February 23-24, 2015. The main facilitator, Atty. Robert “Bob” Chan of the Palawan NGO Network Inc. (PNNI), has extensive knowledge and experience in organizing communities for forest protection.

Philippine citizens are given the right to seize equipment used in illegal logging and arrest the people involved. Atty. Chan discussed the extent and specifics of relevant forestry laws and its implications to citizens pursuing the protection of the environment. This approach has brought Atty. Chan remarkable success in protecting the forests and natural resources of Palawan and it has the potential to work just as well for the watersheds of the Amburayan River located mostly in Benguet.

The training was done in the hope that participants are able to recognize practical activities that local communities can do to protect their natural resources. Environmental issues are not concerns restricted to large organizations or big businesses because these are matters of greater consequence for communities who rely on the rivers and forests as a means for living.

Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed through Good Governance and Active People’s Participation is a project funded by the USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation and is implemented by the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. (JVOFI).