DENR finalizes forest boundary of three provinces

News Release
 

Raring to beat the deadline for the forest land boundary assessment and delineation (FBAD) by year 2011, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Bicol fast tracks the finalization of timberland border of three more provinces.

Jose Flores, chief of the Regional Assessment and Delineation Team (RADT) reported to DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada that they finished the assessment and delineation of forest land boundary of Masbate and Sorsogon while, Catanduanes’ timberland border is underway.

“The RADT is set to submit to the National Assessment and Delineation Committee (NADC) the draft bill for the forest land boundary of Sorsogon by year end,” Flores said during the Regional Assessment and Delineation Committee (RADC) meeting presided by Fragada.

Fragada ordered the RADT to gather the necessary documents to back up the draft bill for Sorsogon’s timberland boundary to avert unnecessary issues during the NADC deliberation.

            Flores said the assessment and delineation of Masbate’s forest land boundary is already completed and the RADT is preparing the draft promulgation which will be endorsed on the first quarter of 2011. He reiterated that the timberland borders of Catanduanes will be completed this month and the draft bill will be endorsed on the second quarter of next year.

            He maintained that the RADT is on track with its assessment and delineation targets that would see fruition by year 2011. Last October, the RADT submitted the draft bill for the final forest boundary of Camarines Norte.

            Fragada lauded the RADT for being commended by the NADC as one with the best FBAD practices, and the only region that passed the committee’s assessment.

            Among the RADC’s remaining targets are the assessment and delineation of the forest land boundary of Albay and Camarines Sur with its subsequent draft bills by the third and fourth quarter of 2011.

Based on the FBAD process, once the NADC reviewed and evaluated the draft proclamation it will be then endorsed to the DENR Secretary. The Secretary shall endorse the draft bill to the Representatives concerned for sponsorship in Congress. Upon the passage of the law defining the final boundary of the forestlands within a province, the same shall be the basis for the issuance of the certifications of legal status of the land. It shall form part of the control maps and records for all public land applications filed to the Department.

The implementation of the survey was based on DENR Administrative Order 2008-24, which specifically provided for a “comprehensive procedure to facilitate the conduct of assessment and delineation of boundaries between forestlands, national parks and agricultural lands.” (ASAraya, DENRV)