NGCP complies with reforestation requirements

MANILA, Philippines - Power grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) would implement a P2.3 million reforestation program to comply with the directive of Department of Environment and Natural Resources in line with the construction of the Sta. Rita-Quinapondan 69-kilovolt transmission line project in Samar.

The power line project is expected to be energized in 2016 to provide better power delivery services and address future load growth in Western and Eastern Samar.

It spans 97 circuit-kilometers and will traverse the municipalities of Sta. Rita, Basey, and Marabut in Western Samar, and the municipalities of Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar.

The reforestation program is in compliance with DENR’s memorandum circular 2012-02 which requires the replacement of trees that will be affected by the NGCP project.

 Under the memorandum of agreement signed, the farmers associations will undertake the production, planting, maintenance and protection of forest and fruit tree seedlings over a three-year period on behalf of NGCP, as well as the monitoring of the progress of the reforestation activities.

The project is at the initial phase consisting of the production of tree seedlings.

The Samarsur Upland Farmers Association has already produced the required 16,600 seedlings including the 3,320 seedlings for the 20 percent mortality allowance. The seedlings are composed of patsaragon, hagakhak, wakatan, and coffee.

Farmers from Basey, Samar have produced 130,000 seedlings of assorted forest tree species and fruit trees.

Apart from the usual forest tree seedlings required for the project, NGCP also included the planting of fruit tree seedlings to provide an extra source of income for the farmers who are still trying to get back on their feet after the devastation brought on by Super Typhoon Yolanda.