The bayanihan spirit lives on as personnel of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) led by Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) and PENR Officer Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya together with officers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other volunteers braved the seven hour fight to put out the forest fire that occurred at Spur 6, Brgy. Bagong Silang, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental on April 7, 2024.

The affected area being inaccessible to fire truck units, volunteers used water containers and manually extinguished the fire to prevent it from spreading to other areas. Three hectares mostly planted with Udling (Syzygium nitidum) and White Lauan (Shores contorta) trees were affected by the blaze that occurred around 10:00 am and was placed under control at about 5:00 pm.

“I give my sincerest thanks and salute to all the volunteers that joined hands to put out the forest fire that occurred at NNNP. As we experience temperatures reaching dangerous levels, we must practice due care and concern in dealing with fire, not only for people around us but to the environment as well,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said./DENR6