On Sept. 12, the members of the Regional Development Council and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IV-A Calabarzon reached an agreement to establish the Calabarzon Forest Park: a 25-hectare space to improve the sustainable management of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape in Sitio San Ysiro, Antipolo City.

According to regional public affairs officer Ann Hazel D. Javier, the Calabarzon Forest Park is one of the initiatives that support the Calabarzon Regional Plan 2017-2022 (RDP), which aims to intensify protection and sustainable management of forest, watershed, coastal, and marine resources.

The forest park will be home to indigenous species of trees, which will be planted by DENR Calabarzon and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Rizal. Trees like the batino (Alstonia macrophylla), makaasim (Syzygium nitidum), and other dipterocarp and bamboo species will be planted to ensure the increase of forest cover in the next five to ten years.

Private sector representatives will also be planting fruit tree varieties like mango, calamansi, lukban (pomelo), lipote (Java plum), and kasoy (cashew). Additionally, a 10-meter fire line will be established and flowering plants will be planted along its boundaries.

Javier also adds that the community will be able to utilize and possibly harvest the fruits on the forest park later on. “The agreement also entitles the community which takes care of the immediate area for the possible harvesting and utilization of the park later on,” she notes.