Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. witnessed the hand over of loan agreement between the governments of the Philippines and Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Forestlands Management Project (FMP) at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office in Manila last May 29.

FMP is a 10-year project that aims to improve forestland management through collaborative and holistic implementation of comprehensive and sustainable forestland management strategies in the three critical river basins, namely: Upper Magat and Cagayan, Upper Pampanga and Jalaur located in Regions CAR, 2, 3 and 6, respectively.

The JICA Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan will be used for survey and mapping, community organizing and capacity building, site development (including agroforestry and community based enterprise development), construction of agroforestry support facilities, policy initiative, monitoring and evaluation, institutional strengthening and consulting services.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Japanese Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Akio Isomata, and JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki administered the handover of loan agreement.

Aside from Defensor, governors Eugene Balitang of Ifugao, Junie Cua of Quirino, Luisa Cuaresma of Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurelio Umali of Nueva Ecija also witnessed the ceremony.

Defensor welcomed the inclusion of the Jalaur River Basin in the FMP. He said the project is a big help "in our bid to rehabilitate the forestlands in the province."

The Jalaur River Basin traverses among the municipalities of Calinog, Lambunao and Janiuay involving a population of 26,820. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)