Umiray Watershed Forest Reserve, being promoted as protected area

By Nimfa Estrellado Meeting between the General Nakar Local Government, led by Mayor Esee Ruzol (center), and the DENR - Community Environm...

By Nimfa Estrellado

Meeting between the General Nakar Local Government, led by Mayor Esee Ruzol (center), and the DENR - Community Environment Natural Resources Office - Real, Quezon, led by CENRO Officer Oliver Olivo. (Photo from General Nakar LGU)

GENERAL NAKAR, Quezon - Umiray Watershed Forest Reserve (UWFR), located in Real, Quezon, is being promoted as a protected area. It covers a total land area of 31,000 hectares and serves as a vital source of water for nearby communities and agricultural lands.

In a recent meeting, the General Nakar local government, led by Mayor Esee Ruzol, and the DENR, Community Environment Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Real, Quezon, led by CENRO Officer Oliver Olivo and forest technician I Czies Ann Gatson, presented and reported the results of the Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) conducted by their group in the UWFR.



According to reports, the forest reserve is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including some that are endangered, like the tamaraw and Philippine eagle. Through community involvement and sustainable forest management techniques, efforts are being made to protect and conserve the area.

The PASA also sought to ascertain whether the UWFR might be designated as a protected area. According to the report, the UWFR has a lot of potential because of its diverse biodiversity and distinctive ecosystem.

The purpose of the meeting is to develop and promote a resolution from Sangguniang Bayan to make the UWFR a component protected area of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) under the Protected Landscape category.

By doing this, the UWFR's resources will be preserved and used sustainably, opening up opportunities for ecotourism and research projects. It is hoped that by taking this action, more people will realize how crucial it is to protect our natural heritage for future generations.

General Nakar Mayor declared that he will work to protect the UWFR's natural resources and environment as soon as possible, wisely, and effectively.

He said that he is advocating for the designation of the UWFR as a protected area in order to protect its rich biodiversity and natural resources.

Regarding proposed legislation designating the UWFR as a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System, CENRO Real, Quezon recently held a public meeting here.

A total of 77 people, composed of 53 females and 24 males, from the Sangguniang Barangay and its community, including Indigenous People, attended the public consultation.

During the activity, Forester Czies Ann Gatson of CENRO Real presented the results of the Protected Area Suitability Assessment conducted within the watershed.

After much deliberation, the community signed the Certificate of Concurrence for the proposed congressional legislation for UWFR under the category of Protected Landscape.

The Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) is one of the steps to legislate and establish the proposed protected area. UWFR is one of the initial components under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System, or Republic Act No. 11038 of 2018.

The DENR and the CENRO Real created a team for the conduct of PASA for UWFR.

A team led by Park Maintenance Foreman (PMF) Rolly A. Lamintao conducted PASA Form No. 1 (on-site observation) and PASA Form No. 2 (key informant interview) within the proposed protected area from June 21, 2022, to July 1, 2022, at So. Angelo, So. Malining, and So. Pyrates, Barangay Umiray, General Nakar, 2022.

Based on the personnel on the team, the area was filled with mother trees or mature trees and rich in forest resources. Also, they depend on the resources inside the protected area by using it as a primary source of water, a source of electricity (a water wheel turbine in the irrigation), and a source of livelihood (mining, agriculture, and farming).

The conduct of this activity helps the protected area undergo rapid screening and evaluation to determine its suitability for establishment as a protected area and inclusion in the NIPAS Act. (with reports from DENR and CENRO Real)