MANILA, Philippines – Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and the Provincial Government of Isabela have joined forces to protect and rehabilitate the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP). EDC chair Oscar Lopez and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca signed a memorandum of agreement recently for the establishment of a 200-hectare reforestation project and a mega nursery in Brgy. Villa Imelda, Ilagan, Isabela; enhancement of the biodiversity of the mountain range park; and subsequent provision of alternative livelihood for local settlers.
The mega-nursery will nurture saplings of rare and endangered tree species such as almaciga, lauan, tindalo, and other endemic tree species to grow new forests.
Padaca also sought the expertise of EDC in social forestry which has been the company’s strategy in training and transforming former kaingineros (slash-and-burn farmers) into forest protectors. These forest communities have been EDC’s partners in protecting and preserving the company’s geothermal reservation areas in Leyte, Negros islands, Bicol, and North Cotabato.