AC wants BCDA land for forest park, watershed

Posted on January 06, 2021 by Admin

ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has asked the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to entrust to the city the management of their 560-hectare land in Barangay Sapangbato so it can be transformed into a protected forest park and watershed.

Mayor Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas, also the project director, said the 560-hectare land is part of the military reservation area covered by the Bases Conversion law and under the authority of BCDA.

Calaguas said that in order to protect water source and steady supply of water for Angeles, the Sapangbato watershed must be protected.

Part of the plan is to secure the area and conduct massive reforestation to increase water reserves which will benefit the city and the Metro Clark area.

“The city government aims to continue strengthening the protection of our water source,” Calaguas stressed.

“Water is life,” Calaguas added.

In a letter addressed to BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sec. Vivencio Dizon, Mayor Lazati has endorsed Resolution No. 9312, S-2020, passed by the City Council, led by Presiding Officer Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, stating the request of transfer of management and stewardship of their 560 hectares of land to the Angeles City Local Government Unit (LGU).

With this, if the BCDA agrees, the city government will manage the property for 50 years and will allot a budget of P3 million for each year. This is to ensure the reinforcement of massive reforestation in the area.

In relation to this, Mayor Lazatin will request the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to declare it as a protected area and tree reservation park.

Calaguas has discussed the initial plans with BCDA Senior Vice President Joshua Bingcang.

According to Mayor Lazatin, the city government is optimistic that the BCDA will assist in this endeavor.

He then said that the city will comply with the requirements set by the BCDA to facilitate the transfer of management and is willing to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with their terms.

For this project, Lazatin will also tap the help of the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council Inc., (ARAW -ACI) led by businessman and environmentalist Renato “Abong” Tayag for the reforestation.

ARAW-ACI is a non-profit and non-stock organization registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

It can be recalled that when Mayor Lazatin took office, part of his priority programs is to devise medium-and-long term programs to protect the water source of the city.

PHOTO CAPTION: Angeles City Mayor Carmelo 'Pogi' Lazatin Jr. and Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas visit the Angeles City Watershed to discuss the programs for its rehabilitation.

Mayor Lazatin vows to prioritize the protection of the 560 hectare watershed of Angeles City located in Barangay Sapangbato.

Also present during the visit are ARAW-ACI President Renato 'Abong' Tayag, ARAW-ACI Vice President Sonny Dobles, and ARAW-ACI Executive Director Minerva Zamora-Arceo.