KIDAPAWAN CITY — To ensure thick forests at the northern slope of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, and around the city are safeguarded, Mayor Joseph Evangelista has pushed for the creation of “Green Brigades” that will focus on environmental protection.
The mayor on Friday met with tribal leaders in Barangay Perez to explain to them the importance of green brigades.
Evangelista is eyeing 29 of 40 villages in the city to have their respective green brigades. The mayor said under the program, villagers, including members of the Indigenous Peoples living in villages near Mt. Apo, will be trained on the implementation of environmental laws.
“The tribal people must be taught that trees cannot be cut anytime by anyone without clearance from the city environment office,” he said.
Evangelista added that villagers would also be trained on disaster response.
“The watershed area are our priority, we must protect it, so the city will not experience disasters like flashfloods and landslides, among others,” Evangelista said. Barangay Perez hosts many watersheds and the primary source of water for city residents.
The green brigade project has the support of the village councils, tribal councils, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the city police office. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
