Program underway to reforest Mariveles watershed

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines  – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) are pooling their resources to raise some P3.2 million to reforest an initial 130 hectares of the Mariveles watershed to boost the water potential of the freeport’s dam.

Aside from the DENR and AFAB, officials of the Export Processing Zone Chamber of Exporters and Manufacturing Inc. (EPZCEM) also committed to support the 25-year reforestation program to ensure that the dam could supply the water requirements of locators and manufacturers in the 1,700-hectare freeport.

DENR regional director Maximo Dichoso and AFAB chairman and administrator Deogracias Custodio signed last Dec. 17 a 25-year memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the reforestation program.

The undertaking would also include provisions for survey and delineation, watershed characterization, vulnerability assessment, preparation of a comprehensive development management plan, forest protection and training, and cost-sharing agreements on nursery establishment, seedling production, site preparation, and survey mapping of the areas to be reforested.

“This is a joint initiative of the AFAB, DENR and EPZCEM to help save and protect our environment while safeguarding the ability of the FAB dam to supply water to the entire freeport for years to come,” Custodio said.

The dam has a rated capacity of 10.9 million cubic meters of water.

Top executives and staffers of the participating FAB companies led by EPZCEM president Pompil Corsame also planted some 600 narra seedlings after the MOA signing as part of the initial activities of the reforestation program, according to Samuel Danganan, newly installed DENR-Bataan provincial officer.

The Bataan freeport boasts of a well-protected watershed, pristine beaches, mountain ranges and flat lands suitable for world-class ecotourism programs, Danganan said.

He said nature lovers can go mountain climbing to Tarak Peak (Tarak Climb) or take a dip in the beaches of Mariveles.

“Good roads and rolling hills provide an excellent backdrop and pose a challenge for cycling and marathon aficionados who visit during the regular Camaya Aquathlon and Padyakan festivals,” he added.   – With Ric Sapnu