DENR 7 overshoots 2013 reforestation target by 2%

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has posted an increase of two percent of accomplishment under the National Greening Program by reforesting around 24,872.49 hectares in the plantation development against its target of 24,361 hectares this year.

Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 regional executive director, said that since its implementation in 2011, the region has always been on top when it comes to NGP.

The said program, Montejo said, rejuvenates rural economies particularly in the uplands by providing livelihood opportunities to the members of a people’s organization.

“With the continued help and support of our private partners, POs, local government units and other stakeholders, we are very confident that we will be able to pursue another successful year for NGP this 2014,” Montejo said in a press statement sent to The FREEMAN.

DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo said that based on consolidated report as of December 20 released by the Forest Management Services, Cebu province recorded the highest completing about 10,117.83 hectares followed by Negros Oriental with 9,533.28 hectares, Bohol with around 5,036.38 hectares, and Siquijor with 185 hectares.

Llamedo said that greening some 1.5 million hectares of degraded forest lands, NGP aims to essentially develop a sustainable forest resource-based to accelerate the national greening campaign to address poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Montejo also said the NGP in its six-year implementation will be carried out following a people-centered development framework, that seeks to achieve the following objectives: stability and productivity of watersheds; improved farm level productivity and stability; improved household incomes and general well-being of the people, and increased production of food crops, timber and non-timber forest products.

To recall, President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order 26 on February 24, 2011 establishing the NGP not only to reforest 1.5 million hectares of land but also to promote a sustained environmental awareness campaign in the face of the deleterious effects of climate change.

In a related development, five people’s organizations were awarded by DENR 7 last week in recognition of being an NGP Best Performing POs.

They are Tumalog Daanglungsod Cañang Upland Farmers Association Inc., Borbon Tree Farmers Association Inc., Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Overland, Mantiquil Environmental Protection Association Inc., and Nabhang Farmers’ Association.—-(FREEMAN)