The National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has teamed up to strengthen forest protection measures in the country.
In a statement, Napocor said they have inked a memorandum of understanding with USAID to establish cooperation in strengthening the forest protection programs of each agency.
Under the MOU, the two will share their respective expertise, strengths, resources, technologies and methodologies in forest protection.
“We at Napocor manage 11 watershed systems that support hydro and geothermal power facilities while US AID supports forest protection and biodiversity conservation in the country through its Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) program,” Napocor president Ma. Gladys– Sta. Rita said.
Under the partnership, Napocor’s watershed management will be empowered with the use of Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System.
Lawin is a program by USAID and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that combines science – based planning, technology – aided monitoring and indigenous knowledge in forest protection. The system uses an open source technology accessible to communities, the private sector and the government through a smartphone or tablet application.