Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has recommended the creation of the Negros Occidental Multi- Sectoral Environmental Protection Council, to boost the campaign to preserve the remaining forest cover of the province.

Marañon endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval a memorandum of agreement to be signed between him and the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the Interior and Local Government, the Bacolod City government, the Philippine Army and National Police, the Social Action Center, the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation Inc. and the Balayan Foundation of the University of St. La Salle, for the creation of the council.

Board Member Mae Javellana, who acted as temporary presiding officer of the SP regular session, yesterday referred it to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

The Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force that is composed pf DENR, DILG, AFP and PNP, is also up for activation in Negros Occidental, to boost the campaign against illegal logging in the province.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, commander of the 3rdInfantry Division, said Army soldiers remain committed as guardians of the environment, aside from being guardians of peace in the Western Visayas.* GPB

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