BACOLOD CITY — The full mapping and digitization of the 547-hectare reforestation site in the Mount Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) has been finished, clearing the way for its groundwork, provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Monday.
The mapping of the portion of the 22,388-hectare MKNP in Murcia town was spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) under the Enhanced National Greening Program, while the Governor’s Information and Communications Technology Division produced detailed layouts using survey data and aerial drone imagery, Diaz said.
“This gives us a clear picture of the area — its actual condition, elevation, contours and exact location,” he said.
The borders of the MKNP are shared by Murcia, La Castellana, Bago City, La Carlota City and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, has directed teams to begin on-site activities as soon as possible to restore forest cover in this critical watershed.
The directive follows the July 1 signing of a 25-year memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the site at Sitio Guinam-an, Barangay Minoyan, Murcia.
Under the agreement, the province will develop and sustain a bamboo plantation, promote agroforestry, and provide livelihood opportunities for nearby communities, targeting an 85 percent survival rate for planted stock.
The initiative supports biodiversity conservation, climate action and sustainable resource management, with technical oversight from DENR.
The site adoption was formally endorsed by the Protected Area Management Board on Jan. 15.
Diaz is inviting all residents of Negros Island to join the effort.
“Come help organize communities, set up nurseries, and grow trees,” Diaz said.
The MKNP is a protected area established under Republic Act 9154.