LGUs in Region 13 support DENR’s Lawin forest patrols

USAID’s B+WISER team provides a hands-on Lawin patrol experience to LGU staff and Bantay Gubat (forest guards) in the Sinobong Watershed, Veruela, Agusan del Sur,Region 13.
With 700,000 hectares of remaining natural forests, Region 13 is home to the fourth largest area of forest in the country. At the same time it is considered a hotspot for illegal tree cutting. Since the nationwide roll-out of USAID/B+WISER’s Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System (Lawin) as part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) national strategy for forest protection in March 2016, the region has already logged 1,872 km of patrol distance with more than 15,000 observations on forest condition, indicator species and threats, equipping local decision makers to better guard their natural forest. Read more: LGUs in Region 13 support DENR’s Lawin forest patrols

USAID’s B+WISER and Team Energy Foundation expand partnership

DENR Regional Director Paquito Moreno, CENROs of Ilocos Region, and representatives from TEFI,  DENR and USAID/B+WISER present the portable solar panels and power banks during the handover  ceremony. (Photo: USAID/B+WISER)

As part of its continuing partnership and support to USAID's Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Team Energy Foundation (TEFI) donated six portable solar panels and power banks to be used by DENR’s forest rangers to conduct forest patrols in Ilocos.

Read more: USAID’s B+WISER and Team Energy Foundation expand partnership