On 19 March 2019, the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) through the Social Forestry Division (SFD) conducted Ugnayan Pamayanan para sa Maunlad na Bundok Makiling at Puting Lupa, Calamba City. The Ugnayan was attended by 17 participants from Barangay Officials, Sanggunian Kabataan, Farmer Group and other community members. The activity was facilitated by Mr. Benjamin D. Arizala of SFD-MCME. He also discussed the rationale of the Ugnayan. For. Leonardo D. Barua of SFD-MCME, introduced Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) to the community through video presentations and For. Rolly V. Breva, Head of MCME Protection and Regulation Unit, shared about the policies, rules and regulations implemented in MMFR AHP.
During the open forum, topics about Youth Summer Program, Make it Makiling! Program, water, and potential of Puting Lupa, Calamba City side of MMFR AHP as an ecotourism site were discussed. The group agreed for the conduct of assessment of their area about water and ecotourism and arrangement for the conduct of Youth Summer Program that will be participated by Sanggunian Kabataan and other youth in the barangay. Moreover, the barangay council members present in the activity guaranteed the team for their full support in the upcoming Make it Makiling! Program a Lenten Season Visitor Management program of MCME. For. Nicasio M. Balahadia, Head of SFD-MCME, expressed his gratitude to the continuous support of the community in the conservation of MMFR AHP. Present also during the Ugnayan were For. Myranel S. Canceran and Ms. Gillian Katherine L. Inciong of SFD-MCME.
MSCanceran
Photos credit to: LDBarua, MSCanceran, and GKLInciong
