During yesterday’s inauguration and oath-taking ceremonies for the Benejewan Integrated Social Forestry Program Farmers Association (BISFFA), which took place in Don Salvador Benedicto’s Barangay Bunga, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assured support from the provincial government.
While addressing the organization, he called on the group’s officers and members to “level up” development in the area and vowed to return to consult on various integrated social forestry initiatives. Integrated social forestry refers to the process of maximizing land productivity and enhancing ecological stability as a means of improving local socioeconomic conditions.
Since its creation in 1994, BISFFA has reforested 70 hectares of land and raised awareness on environmental protection and rehabilitation.
Also present for the event were Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) officer-in-charge, Dr. Rowena Parcon; Provincial veterinarian, Dr. Renante Decena; PEMO Upland and Coastal Area Management Coordinator Luisa Tuitor; Provincial Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who chairs the Provincial Board Committee on Agriculture; among others./WDJ