Photo courtesy of: DENR Central Luzon
City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here, through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Nueva Ecija, formally turned over ten waste collection vehicles to selected barangays within the Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve (PCWFR).
The initiative aims to improve environmental protection efforts within the protected region and reinforce the implementation of solid waste management at the barangay level. The availability of garbage collection vehicles will increase the effectiveness of waste collection, decrease inappropriate waste disposal, and aid in the watershed forest reserve’s overall conservation objectives.
The activity was spearheaded by DENR Region III Regional Executive Director Engr. Ralph C. Pablo, together with OIC PENR Officer For. Merliza A. Torre, and OIC Technical Services Division Mariqueen Andrea D. Arcia. Also present during the ceremony were Carranglan Municipal Mayor Rogelio Abad, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and barangay officials from the recipient communities.
In his message, Pablo emphasized the importance of the LGUs in the continued fight against pollution and the protection and conservation of our protected areas.
“Our partnership with our local government units is one of our foundations in our fight against pollution, with their aid, we can lessen the damage that can devastate our ecosystems and our protected areas,” Pablo added.
The recipient barangays include Brgy. Salazar, Burgos, Bunga, D.L. Maglanoc, G.S. Rosario, and San Agustin in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija; Brgy. Lukidnon in Dupax del Sur, Brgy. Canabuan in Sta. Fe and Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.
The PCWFR-Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) provided funding for the purchase and distribution of the waste collection vehicles, reaffirming DENR’s dedication to assisting partner communities and local government entities in putting in place efficient solid waste management programs within protected areas.
Through initiatives such as this, DENR Region III continues to uphold its mandate of conserving, managing, and protecting the region’s natural resources for present and future generations.