The conduct of the Capacitation Training of the Regional Forest Assessment Teams (RFATs) for Visayas Cluster is taking place this week, commencing from May 28 to May 31, 2024 in Tacloban City, Leyte. This is in preparation for the conduct of the nationwide National Forest Inventory activities from 2025 to 2027 using the new FRA design and methodologies.

The Visayas cluster is composed of five representatives each from the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA Region, Region 6, Region 7, and Region 8.

The event was graced by the Regional Executive Director of DENR Eastern Visayas, Lormelyn E. Claudio who emphasized the importance of the FRA to the Forest Land Use Planning while the opening message delivered by the OIC-Assistant Secretary for Field Operations-Western Mindanao, and concurrent Director of the FMB, Arleigh J. Adorable, highlighted the role of the RFATs in the population of real-time data which are crucial in the analysis of forest conditions, use, and management necessary for the development of sound national policies and programs for the forestry sector.

The training workshop also invited resource speakers from the College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences-Visayas State University and the FMB to properly guide and equip the RFATs on the conduct of the FRA.