DENR-7 calls for unity to protect Osmeña Reforestation Project

CEBU, Philippines - Through joint efforts with private groups and other government agencies, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 hopes to finally stop the continued threats faced by the 100-year-old Osmeña Reforestation Project. 

The 2,710-hectare man-made forest in the southern part of Cebu province reportedly continues to face threats of human activities like illegal tree cutting, informal settlement, wildlife hunting, and sand and gravel extraction, among others.

 "I hope with this kind of gathering, we will envision for more integrated approach in utilizing our natural resources balancing economic development and environmental protection. We have to come up with a very good strategy. This alliance, we can do more with our presence," said Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 regional director.

Representatives of various government agencies and NGOs convened yesterday in Minglanilla town, Cebu to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Osmeña Reforestation Project.

The activity was part of the kick-off activity for the Philippine Environment Month this June spearheaded by DENR-7.

Montejo believes the advocacy for biodiversity preservation and the aim for economic development will become successful through collaborative effort with different stakeholders.

"We are all stewards of planet Earth. Without human intervention, economic progress will not be available and without our intervention, we cannot protect this fragile environment," he said.

Montejo said he is willing to discuss to the newly elected officials of LGUs the long-term integrated plans to accommodate economic development while protecting the environment at the same time.

"We will sit down and plan on how LGUs and government agencies can have a better polling of resources and at the same time integration of resources in such a way that we can protect our forest and address human development and economic needs," he said.

Those who graced the activity were Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña, Cebu City mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

In his message, Osmeña stressed that there is a need "to strike a balance" between economic development and biodiversity conservation.

Davide agreed and said he is open to exploring possibilities on developing eco-tourism activities in the area and to include the forest reserve as one of the stops for Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.

Montejo also acknowledged the presence of Louella and Rudy Alix, the co-convenors of the Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC), which is considered as one of Cebu City's leading environment advocates.

In June 2015, MLC signed a commitment to help promote and steer awareness on the protection and preservation of the timberland areas comprising the Osmeña Reforestation Project.

The observance of the Philippine Environment Month this year carries the theme, "Go Wild for Life" as it calls for sustained cooperation among communities and other stakeholders.

The month of June was declared as Environment Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 237 signed in 1988.

The whole-day activity yesterday in Minglanilla town, Cebu was marked with the unveiling of the centennial marker of the Osmeña Reforestation Project, the first and oldest reforestation project in the country established on January 13, 1916.

On this date was the passage of Act No. 2649 that provides the allocation of P10, 000 for the reforestation project through the sponsorship of the first Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, Sergio Osmeña, Sr., thus the name of the forested area - Osmeña Reforestation Project.

The Osmeña Reforestation Project was a portion of friar land estate of Talisay City and Minglanilla municipality that the Philippine government purchased from the Vatican during the administration of William Howard Taft, the first civil governor of the country.

Part of the development in the area is the establishment of the Cebu Experimental Forest covering 123.4 hectares, which serves as field laboratory for environment and natural resources technologies, demonstration and training center for the conservation and management of the existing forest plantation, seed production area, cave and ecotourism. — May B. Miasco and Jocel L. Monares (FREEMAN)