Apayao cited for its ‘Lapat’ forest conservation method

by Larry P. Fabian

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Baguio City – The province of Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was recently cited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its forest conservation method called the “Lapat” system.

UNAFRAID OF HUMANS – A Philippine hornbill, locally called Kalaw, is seen near the edge of the forest in Calanasan town in Apayao, seemingly unafraid of human presence. (Larry Fabian)

As a result, Apayao remains as the province with the largest forested areas in the region, the DENR said.

The “Lapat” system is the practice of prohibiting the entry and use of any resources in either dipterocarp or pine forest, a span of river, or a certain block of land declared by the Lapat holder.

“This method allows the resources to recover,” said DENR-CAR Regional Director Paquito Moreno, who lauded the province’s strict implementation of the system.

“When the Lapat holder declares ‘Lapat’ on a certain place, no extraction is allowed within the number of years determined for its resting period,” Moreno explained.

He cited Apayao for being the first province to formulate the DENR’s comprehensive Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP). He said this is a big boost to the agency’s advocacy for forest conservation which would hopefully spur other provinces to inculcate the value of forest and natural resource stewardship for the future generations.

LARGEST FOREST COVER – Thick forest covers an area in Calanasan, Apayao. (Larry Fabian)

“It is the Municipality of Calanasan, Apayao where the largest share of forest land cover of forest lands that contributes to the success of the province.” said Marlene Malecdan of the DENR’s Forest Management services

The Municipality of Calanasan is a first-class municipality of Apayao with a land area of 125,615 hectares, making it the largest municipality in the province and the main source of the Apayao River, which is also the only navigable river in the province.

The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, DENR-CAR Cadastral boundary map shows Apayao province with 379,534.45 hectares of forest land, followed by Abra with 288,432.77 hectares, Benguet with 243,942.94 hectares, Ifugao with 233,307.29 hectares, Kalinga with 223,709.94, Mt. Province with 212,616.84 hectares, and Baguio City with 1,572.48 hectares.

“There is a gradual increase in the forest land cover herhornbille in the Cordillera, and it is in part due to the initiative of individuals, private and government agencies and others who plant trees as part of their program or a personal initiative,” Malecdan said.

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