680 hectares in Cordillera devastated by forest fires in Jan. 2024

 Baguio City, Philippines – Forest fires continue to wreak havoc in Cordillera, raising calls for enhanced forest management and mitigation efforts.

Last month alone saw a total of P2,632,722.75 in damages incurred, affecting a substantial area of 680.07 hectares.

Among the affected lands, 65.35 hectares comprised plantation forests, records of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera showed.

Benguet registered the highest number of fire incidents and sustained the most significant damages, followed closely by Mountain Province and Abra.

In response, the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council issued a memorandum on February 10, directing the local DRRM councils, particularly those in areas susceptible to forest fires, to enforce stringent measures against such incidents and uphold existing laws and policies.

Member agencies of the regional council, as well as the local government units and stakeholders, are set to convene this week to formulate strategies to safeguard the forests and natural resources against such occurrences.

In a related incident, a fire erupted on Sunday morning and spread rapidly, affecting the three-hectare wooded area in Baguio City.

According to the City Public Information Office, the fire originated in Camp John Hay's Voice of America area.

Authorities said the blaze is now under control.

Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the incident.