ZAMBOANGA
CITY, Sept. 27 (PIA) - - To
protect and preserve the dipterocarp trees inside the Pasonanca Watershed and Natural
Park (PWNP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region
IX, in partnership with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) recently forged
a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the purpose.
Hernanita Ascura of DENR in a press statement
said the MOA highlights the implementation of “tree surgery” of decay-infected
Dipterocarp trees in the PWNP.
Under the
MOA, the environment office will create a research team to conduct assessment
of infected trees and implementation of tree surgery.
The MOA also calls for DENR coordinate with
concerned offices within the duration of the project and until after the
purpose has been satisfactorily achieved; and submit report within fifteen days
from completion of its undertaking.
“The ZCWD for its part shall be responsible
for paying the traveling expenses and
per diems of the Research Team; shoulder the operational costs of the project
implementation including the cost of equipments, supplies and materials to be
used during the activity; assign personnel to assist the Research Team in the
implementation of various activities including hauling of the supplies and
materials to implementation site; among others,” informed Ascura.
Ascura said the MOA signing was in response
to the request made by the ZCWD and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) following
their report to DENR in December 2011 regarding the occurrence of pest
infestation on some dipterocarp which was verified by team of researchers.
“It was found out that there are actually
occurrences of stems rot disease on dipterocarp trees assessed. And if the
stems rot disease is left unabated, it will yield considerable losses in terms
of economic, ecological and aesthetic value of the Watershed and Natural Park,”
Ascura confirmed.
The MOA was signed by DENR-IX Regional
Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable and ZCWD General Manager Leonardo Rey D.
Vasquez. (JPA/PIA9-ZBST)