News Release

PAMB pushes for the Mt. Bulusan Natural Park Protected Area Bill

By: Irma A. Guhit

Sorsoogn City, February 1 – Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office V Forester Yolanda G. Sa-ong during the monthly meeting of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) just recently at the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO), presented to the group the draft resolution of the Protected Area (PA) Bill of Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) which she said is now on its second reading.

“We have been undertaken by the change in events, last 2010, approval of the PA Bill which was sponsored by former congressman Rodolfo Gonzales was not tackled during the 14^th Congress. Hopefully after some review and some refinements done by the PAMB members, we will be able to forward the PA Bill for approval to the 15^th congress with the assistance of the newly elected representative of the 2^nd district of Sorsogon, Congressman Deogracias Ramos to sponsor the bill,” Sa-ong said.

Presiding officer of the PAMB, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Officer Oscar Dominguez said that the approval of the PA Bill will be a great accomplishment of t he PAMB specifically on the conservation and management of the BVNP resources. Thus, being one of Sorsogon’s best ecotourism destinations.

The PA Bill specifically will clearly define the declaration and boundaries of the 5-terrirorial municipalities around the natural park composing of Bulusan, Barcelona, Irosin, Casiguran and Juban.

The bill will also clear some isues regarding management and will provide initiatives for complementation of programs and projects towards the sustainable development of BVNP.

Strengthening the capabilities and issuing the deputation papers of the recommended Bantay Gubat within the park was also tackled during the meeting.

Former governor of Sorsogon, now executive director of the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO) recommended to the board members the inclusion of attendance and orientation of the newly elected mayors of Bulusan, Juban, Irosin and Barcelona.

She said that as new leaders, first and foremost, they should know the functions of the members of the PAMB and be the ones to lead in its operationalization and should include development programs in their legislative agenda.

“They should also forge together to push for the approval of the PA Bill,” she added. (PIA Sorsogon)