PUALAS, Lanao del Sur — The Provincial ENRE Office of Lanao del Sur led the water sampling activity in Lake Dapao on 14 September 2022 with the presence of the Barangay and Municipal Local Government Officials of Pualas, Lanao del Sur.

PENRE Officer and Concurrent CENRE Officer of the 2nd District, Forester Asmarie M. Labao was with his Chief EMS Engr. Hanif Macalawan in conducting the sampling activity with the newly-elected Mayor Amanoddin “Tenny” Ducol. The sampling is said to be included in the Mayor’s First 100 Days Agenda, showcasing his strong support for environmental programs and projects under his jurisdiction.

“LGU Pualas is one of the current recipients of the technical assistance from MENRE in formulating their Forest Land Use Plan as an integral part of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Pualas is also one of the partners of MENRE in its flagship program, the Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program, to which LGU Pualas is one of the pilot areas,” PENREO Labao said.

He also added that “the Municipality of Pualas is undeniably rich in terms of biodiversity and natural resources where Mt. Baya is situated.”

Morevoer, the continuing water sampling activity is under the banner program of the Ministry’s Environment Management Services as they conduct these activities to classify water bodies, identify their beneficial uses, and monitor their water quality.

Mayor Ducol shared that Pualas is very fortunate as a center of various programs and projects from BARMM-MENRE in pursuing and advancement of all environmental programs under his area of concern. He reiterated his strong determination and willingness to help and promote environmental awareness such as Lake Dapao protection and biodiversity conservation. As soon as he was elected, he made a public announcement to protect, develop and improve the initiative toward solid waste management in Lake Dapao environs.

Henceforward, the conduct of an orientation, water classification briefing, and the ceremonial turnover of the numbers of flowering trees to be planted in the Lakeshore of Lake Dapao manifest the strong collaboration and partnership between LGU-Pualas and MENRE-Lanao del Sur in the pursuit of greening initiatives in the locality.