Some 30,000 hectares in two major watersheds in Bohol will be rehabilitated with the signing last Friday of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.’s environmental arm, Bantay Kalikasan; the provincial government of Bohol and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director, Regina Paz Lopez, Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado and Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza Jr. signed the MoA in rites held at the Loboc Children’s Theater in the Loboc Tourism Center.

Aumentado underlined that he has a bias for trees and forests because these are carbon sinks and therefore climate change and global warming mitigators.

He also said he puts a premium on the Abatan Watershed as it sustains the Abatan River that has given much livelihood to residents from eco-tourism as well as food and water for irrigation, household use and forest products.

The Loboc watershed, likewise enhances eco-tourism and also provides water for irrigation, household and forest products as well as hydroelectric power.

Aumentado, who had participated in planting mahogany and other trees in what is now known as the man-made forest near the boundary of Loboc and Bilar towns, said the local folks have realized that environmental protection ensures them resources which, if not abused, can provide them with a sustainable means of livelihood.

He expressed appreciation to the DENR Secretary for having been designated Chairman of Task Force Kabukiran which, among other tasks, runs after violators of environmental, mining, quarrying and other such laws, penalizes those who mutilate, abuse and destroy the environment, and designate lawyers who prosecute environmental cases in so-called “green courts” in the province.

For his part, Atienza acknowledged that Bohol has gone a long way in protecting its environment which, he said, “is a testimony of what the unity of local leaders can achieve.”

He congratulated Boholanos, and said that their success in environmental protection has led to the booming of eco-tourism in the province, improved the local economy, giving locals more livelihood opportunities and income, and uplifting conditions in the province in general.

Atienza also pledged support for the province’s efforts in reforestation, as well as look for sources of funds, including Official Development Assistance (ODA) and from non-government organizations (NGOs) for the rehabilitation of Abatan Watershed’s 11,000 hectares and 26,000 hectares of Loboc’s Watershed.

Aumentado presented the DENR Secretary with a plaque and declared him an adopted son of the province. He cited Atienza’s support for such initiatives including the Land Administration Management Project (LAMP 2) Bohol-2 which pertains to security of land titles, a component of Bohol's poverty reduction strategy, the rehabilitation of the Wahig-Inabanga, Loboc and Abatan Watersheds, and the preservation and protection of the environment in Bohol from “ridge to reef,” and the empowering of Task Force Kabukiran as an effective instrument in putting a stop to the illegal cutting of trees as well as mining and other destructive ventures in forest reserves, mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries. All these efforts, said the Bohol Governor, has “contributed much to Bohol’s eco-tourism and the general welfare of its people.”