NNNP celebrates 17th year as protected area

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 hailed the 17^th year celebration of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) last August 13-14, 2022 at Gawahon EcoPark, Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Provincial ENR Office of Negros Occidental and Community ENR Offices of Bago City, Cadiz City and Kabankalan City participated in the anniversary celebration themed “NNNP: Healthy and Green at 17.”

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Victorias City headed by Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez together with the cities of Talisay, Silay, Cadiz, Sagay, Magalona, Murcia, Calatrava and Toboso hosted the celebration.

In his message, Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran emphasized the importance of co-existence between the environment and community in the area. He also mentioned enrolling the NNNP as part of the Western Visayas Eco-tourism Loop with its beautiful ecotourism potentials.

“The challenge in the near future would be to strike the balance between economic development and environmental conservation,” he said.

Several activities were conducted by the stakeholders for the two-day celebration namely: fun ride bike tour, trade fair and exhibit, bird watching, tree planting, camping, and on-the-spot poster making. These activities were conducted to engage the public in nature-related activities and had also supported the local products showcased by the different cities and municipalities.

NNNP covers more or less 70,000 hectares of land in Negros Occidental, spanning several LGUs, including the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay and San Carlos and towns of E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto and Murcia.

It was formerly known as the Northern Negros Forest Reserve and was renamed as NNNP under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 895 dated August 15, 2005. (DENR-6)