DENR 7: Protect pre-war reforested area in Siquijor
By Hazel F. Gloria
SIQUIJOR, June 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas is calling for the protection of the 202.15-hectare pre-war reforestation project in Barangay Salagdoong in Maria, Siquijor.
DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the agency needs the support of the communities to help in the protection of this environmental treasure.
Established in 1937, the reforestation site is one of the oldest in the country. Sixty 60 percent or 121.29 hectares of its total land area are planted to molave tree species or Vitex parviflora. The rest are covered by other types of species-- Lumbang or Aleurites moluccana, Talisay or Terminalia catappa, and Bogo or Garuga floribunda Decne.
Meanwhile, more than 100 seedlings of various rare medicinal tree species were planted during the tree planting held recently within the 244-hectare Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park. The activity was participated in by DENR Siquijor personnel and members of the Kantabon Herbalist Association.
Among the medicinal plants that they planted are five species of “pahauling kahoy,” “tabong-hangin” and “tagnipas”.
Straddling the towns of Lazi and Siquijor, the protected area shelters endemic fauna and flora.
A total of 30 hectares were planted by mangroves in Barangay Lomangcapan in Enrique Villanueva with a project cost of P700,000 through the Integrated Coastal Resources Management of DENR.
The said project is awarded to Lomangcapan United Fisherfolks Association to undertake the mangrove plantation.
In the face of the deleterious effects of climate change, Montejo noted the importance of trees to capture carbon dioxide emissions.
“We want to draw partnership with all national government agencies, local government units, government owned and controlled corporations, including state colleges and universities to harness maximum participation through their personnel complement in pursuing the green program,” he concluded. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR-7)
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CENRO Ayungon cites as a model site of NGP
By Hazel F. Gloria
NEGROS ORIENTAL, June 17 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas named the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Ayungon, Negros Oriental as a model site in the entire country for the implementation of the national greening program (NGP).
This came after 930 hectares of degraded forestlands were fully rehabilitated or an increase of 103.8 percent of the target of 896 hectares in 2011 with a survival rate of 90 percent which is considered the highest.
CENR Officer Charlie Fabre said the achievement is attributed to the strong and vibrant support and commitment from the seven local government units and ten people’s organizations (POs).
He mentioned the importance of establishing and adopting an approved forest land use plan (FLUP) by LGUs as the same could be a very good instrument or tool to delineate production and protection of the forest.
Of the seven LGUs, Ayungon yielded the biggest area covered with trees of 708 hectares or 236 percent of its 300-hectare target.
“They have been very supportive to the greening program and the complementary roles of LGUs are just so impressive”, he added.
About 927,000 fast growing species and 169,500 seedlings consisting of forest and fruit trees were also raised by CENRO Ayungon nursery to augment the tree planting requirements of the NGP.
“We have seen and witnessed how the LGUs and POs nurtured the program and we urged everyone to also contribute and show the same amount of support as this is essentially critical to maintain a balanced ecosystem,” DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said.
Due to the citation, the said office was given an additional 2,750 hectares to be planted with various native and endemic tree species this year on top of this year’s target of 1,518 hectares.
Likewise, Montejo stressed that NGP is pursued to reduce poverty in the upland areas, sustain food security, increase land productivity, promote environmental stability and sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and value formation.
He articulated trees could sequester carbon as they regulate climate, and provide clean water and clean air for a healthier environment.
“NGP which is a priority of President Benigno S. Aquino III intends to plant 1.5 billion trees in some 1.5 million hectares from 2011 to 2016, which is more than twice the government’s accomplishment of 730,000 hectares for the past 25 years,” Montejo added.
Meanwhile, a 1.5 hectare nursery facility located in Barangay Banban, Ayungon which can accommodate 400,000 seedlings was established last year and around 200,000 seedlings are up or ready for planting. The municipal government of Ayungon provides the water system to the nursery.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR-7)
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Phl ranks high in environmental performance
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, June 17 (PIA) -- The Philippines gained a higher mark in environmental performance, outranking Australia, United States, Singapore , and Israel.
This was shared by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje in his recent visit in Central Visayas region on June 11 during the silver anniversary of the department.
Paje said results of the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) that categorized the Philippines as a global “strong performer” in environmental performance.
“The Philippines’ ranking jumped from 50 in 2010 to 42 in 2012 out of 132 countries,” Paje said.
The Philippines outranked Australia (48), United States (49), Singapore (52), and Israel (61) all under the “modest performer” category.
The EPI was developed by the Yale University and Columbia University, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the European Commission which affirms, in the global standard, the correctness and sustainability of the environmental policies, programs and reforms being implemented by the Aquino administration.
According to Paje, the Philippines was given perfect scores (100 points) for protecting forest cover (logging ban), growing forest stock (National Greening Program), Carbon dioxide per capita (for increasing carbon sequestration by growing forests), agricultural subsidies for lowland and upland farmers and for reducing outdoor air pollution.
Relative to this, Paje lauded DENR 7 for being a model region that implements valuable programs and activities to ensure the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources in the country.
Paje also urged all the DENR 7 employees to treat this government differently, different from the past administrations and reminded everybody to always follow the right path.
“Let me make this region as a representative of the entire country,” he concluded.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR-7)