NIA-CAR adopts Shilan Communal Forest in LT

September 19, 2021 Provincial

Humans and other living things depend on water for life and health.
Aimed to sustain the abundant supply of water for agriculture and for other vital needs, the National Irrigation Administration –Cordillera (NIA-CAR) has formally adopted Shilan Communal Forest in La Trinidad (Benguet).
This came after NIA-CAR Regional Manager Engr. Benito Espique,Jr. joined other heads of government offices and civic groups signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Municipal Government of La Trinidad’s “Adopt-a-Forest Program.”
The activity led by Mayor Romeo Salda was held at the town’s hall on September 15. It formally signified their support as adopters of Shilan and Puguis Communal Forests.
“We expressed our gratitude to the adopters— government offices, private associations, the local community and some companies for their support of the program,” Salda said in a telephone interview.
“Their dedication in the protection and preservation of our forests is worth emulation,” Salda added.
“Adopting a forest by way of conservation will sustain the supply of (quality) water which is beneficial to farmlands,” told Espique in a telephone interview.
“Protection of communal forests and watersheds is vital to the sustainability of water in irrigation systems,” added Espique. Part of the agreement, the agency will assist in the maintenance and conduct tree planting on the 2,000 square meter area of Shilan communal forest.
A study showed that “the importance of forest and trees to rainfall and water supply include: improvement of water cycle, reduction of runoff, improving the replenishment of the water table, filtration of water pollutants, control of floods and regulation of storm water.”
In a telephone interview ,La Trinidad environment officer, Arthur Pedro said, the recent MOA signing has brought to 34 forest adopters, since the town launched the program in June 3 this year.
Forest adopters include HEDCOR, Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR), Benguet State University (BSU) and largely from civic groups—Red Cross and Rotary Club, among others.
Pedro said that the capital town has four communal forests –Alapang (36 hectares), Alno (30 ha.), Shilan (44 ha.) and Puguis the widest with 48 ha. which is “under threat” allegedly by claimants and encroachers.
Pedro who acknowledged the active participation of the community and all stakeholders, said the town’s forest conservation program also part of its agro-forestry integration efforts.
Primo Agatep/ABN