DENR calls for joint efforts to develop Pangasinan's second protected landscape

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(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

MANGATAREM, Pangasinan, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- A united effort to develop the Maleluag Spring Protected Landscape (MSPL) here was sought by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” L. Lopez following her earlier visit to the site.

MPSL is among the only 34 protected landscapes throughout the country and only the second in Pangasinan after the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City.

Secretary Lopez said by doing it through joint venture, every body will benefit from MSPL, a lush vegetation of 1,935 hectares of protected landscape located in Barangay Malabobo, Mangatarem.

"Do it multi-sectoral. The private sector, DENR, the (provincial and municipal) governments. Everyone should benefit,” Lopez said in a talk to local officials led by Governor Amado "Pogi" Espino III, and Rep. Amado Espino Jr. of the fifth District and Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil of the second district.

The DENR secretary noted the huge agro-economic tourism potential of the protected landscape, saying that it could open opportunities to boost the provincial tourism in Pangasinan.

She strongly asked local leaders to be all pro-nature or nature advocates

Gov. Espino hailed the coming of Secretary Lopez to Pangasinan, telling her: “We will be your partner in safekeeping as well as in improving this area.”

“We have long been fighting for the preservation and protection of this area,” Congressman Espino also confessed, recalling that in 1993-1994, then Senator Robert Jaworski visited the area and planted some trees.

Meanwhile, Rep. Bataoil adopted Sec. Lopez's suggestion as he also called for united efforts to develop MSPL as a “world class attraction”, noting its big potentials in tourism.

Secretary Lopez suggested that in order to successfully promote conservation of the site, the provincial and municipal governments should harness the “ecological appeal” of the tourist spot to generate social entrepreneurship that could help alleviate poverty.

"We can eliminate poverty by taking good care of nature," she said, pointing to the robust-growing trees in the area.

The event was graced by Board Member Raul Sison, Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla, DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Region 1 Director Paquito Moreno, Jr., DENR Undersecretary Sylvia Ordoñez, National Biodiversity Management Corporation executive Tony Manila, DENR provincial chief Leduina Co and Brigade Commander Col. Milfredo Melegrito of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Joining the governor were Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Ma. Luisa Elduayan, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, Provincial Information Officer Orpheus Velasco and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Benita Pizarro, who delivered a presentation during the program.

Its name Manleluag was derived from the Pangasinan word of “boiling water” due to the presence of hot sulfuric springs in the area.

Classified as an important biodiversity area, MSPL is today's home to 90 bird species and some rare flora and fauna.

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