BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera (DENR-CAR), the provincial government of Benguet, and the municipal local government of Tublay have committed to ensuring the sustainable development, protection, and management of forests and forest lands in the municipality for the present and future generations.
On August 4, 2026, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, DENR-CAR Regional Director Paquito Moreno, Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, and Tublay Mayor Juan Esnara forged a memorandum of agreement for the formulation, implementation and updating of the municipality’s Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP).
Cuna underscored that the FLUP is not merely a planning document or a blueprint on paper, but a strategic roadmap for the town’s ecological and economic future.
“By updating and managing Tublay’s FLUP, we are establishing clear science-backed special boundaries that delineate where development can thrive and where critical forests and watersheds must be protected,” Cuna said.
The secretary added that with the agreement, the municipality is empowered to prevent illegal forest conversion, safeguard its waters and integrate sustainable land use practices directly into local governance.
“It ensures that Tublay’s economic growth, agriculture, and ecotourism advance hand in hand with forest conservation, giving the local community full ownership over the protection of their natural heritage,” he said.
Under the agreement, the DENR-CAR, PLGU Benguet, and MLGU Tublay will jointly undertake the allocation, protection, management, development, and utilization of forest lands within Tublay in accordance with the FLUP, once duly legitimized by the Sangguniang Bayan and approved by DENR-CAR.
They also agreed that for areas situated within a declared or proposed protected area, management authority shall remain with the Protected Area Management Board in accordance with the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, existing laws, rules, and the applicable Protected Area Management Plan.
Among the agreements is the enforcement of forestry laws, rules and regulations within the municipality, which shall be harmonized and consistent with the developed FLUP. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
