The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday signed a usufruct agreement with the Tanay municipal government for the use of a 10-hectare land where a forest park will be developed and the PDEA Academy will be built.
The accord was signed by PDEA director general Wilkins Villanueva and Tanay Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco
Villanueva said the development of a forest park is a joint undertaking between Tanay and PDEA as contribution to the country’s National Greening Program, a massive forest-rehabilitation initiative of the government.
A portion of the land would also serve as a new home of the PDEA Academy, which for the longest time has been temporarily situated inside Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
Under the arrangement, Tanay as the landowner shall allow PDEA to use the property under usufruct for a period of 50 years subject to renewal of another 50 years upon mutual agreement of the parties.
“We need more forest parks and green spaces, most especially in urban areas. Going green is essential to mitigate the effects of global change and help protect the environment,” the PDEA chief said.
“And having a place [PDEA Academy] of our own where well-trained and highly-capable agents are made has always been a dream,” Villanueva added.