DENR intensifies monitoring for protected areas amid quarantine measures

After a forest fire broke out in the Antipolo and Tanay areas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) instructed their local offices to monitor and fight against fires—especially during the dry season.

[READ: Despite COVID-19 lockdown, forest fires break out in Antipolo and Tanay]

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu assured that despite restrictions set by the enhanced community quarantine, the DENR will continue to remain on guard to prevent more fires from happening.

 

In line with this, Rizal Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Isidro Mercado noted patrol operations in the Antipolo and Tanay areas have been intensified to prevent similar incidents while assessment of the cost of damage and identification of the culprit is ongoing.

Cimatu added that the DENR is strictly monitoring protected areas that ensure sufficient water supply and function as a habitat for endangered or threatened species of plants and animals. The secretary also noted that while the dry season creates favorable conditions for fires, these are started by humans—deliberately or accidentally.

“As the dry season sets in and even during this COVID-19 pandemic, our personnel from our regional and satellite offices will all the more continue with their duty to protect our forests from fire and illegal activities,” Cimatu said.

 

Header photo courtesy of Masungi Georeserve

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Writer: ANGELA PATRICIA SUACILLO