DENR creates monitoring team

CEBU, Philippines - A regional validation team that will periodically monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) by various field offices in Region VII has been created by the Department Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR-7 Director Maximo Dichoso said the team is necessary to heighten transparency and accountability.

Recently, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje ordered the notarization of all reports submitted by DENR field offices playing key roles in the implementation of the NGP in an apparent move to remove doubts on the veracity of reports.

The NGP in Central Visayas, with a budget of P65.988 million, has posted an accomplishment of 109.16 percent or 6,148 hectares out of 5,632 hectares of area coverage and planted 3.868 million seedlings or 37 percent more than its target of 2.816 million seedlings.

A number of people’s organizations (POs) in Central Visayas benefited from the project for seedlings production and maintenance.

“I am forming a validating team to conduct a random validation on the reports submitted by our field offices and requiring them to first appear before a notary public attorney to swear on the correctness of their accomplishment reports before I will forward a notarized regional accomplishment report to DENR Central Office,” Dichoso said.

Dichoso also said the team will be looking into the survival rate of the seedlings planted to ensure maintenance and protection, seed collection and storage, and production of planting materials.

“By ensuring close monitoring and coordination among various stakeholders and articulating clear definition of roles and accountabilities and deliverables, the project will be executed in accordance to its purpose of greening and environmental protection,” he added.

In Central Visayas, 631 planting sites are set to be validated. Of the 631, the 10 biggest sites planted are: Cabatuanan, Basay; Sab-ahan and Sto. Niño, Bais City; Tayak, Siaton; and Calango, Zamboanguita, all in Negros Oriental. Other sites are Nangka, Boljoon; Gen. Climaco, Toledo City; and Kambanog, Dumanjug, all in Cebu; and Cantubod, Danao; and Sikatuna, Talibon, all in Bohol. (FREEMAN)