DENR releases P2.6 million for upland development program in Aklan

MANILA, Philippines -The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has released P2.6 million, out of an P8.8-million reforestation fund, for Aklan’s upland development program.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza, together with President Arroyo, released the amount during the President’s visit to Libacao town in Aklan last Aug. 7.

The P2.6 million represents the second installment in the P8.8 million reforestation fund allotted for the province under the DENR’s upland development program.

The first payment, amounting to P822,000, comprised the mobilization fund, and was given out to the beneficiaries last July.

DENR records show that there are four types of upland projects being implemented in Aklan. 

These are the reforestation of 260 hectares in three barangays of Ibajay within the watershed of Ibajay River, namely, San Jose, Monlaque and Mina-a; assisted natural regeneration (ANR) project covering 60 hectares in Brgy. Aparicio and Yawan, also in Ibajay town; agroforestry development covering 10 hectares in Brgy. Osman in Malinao town; and mangrove plantation development covering 30 hectares in Brgys. Buswang and Bakhaw Sur in Kalibo.

DENR provincial officer for Aklan Antonio Luis said the awardees were all local-based people’s organizations with a combined membership of 450. 

Launched last February, the UDP is in support of the government’s “Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program” (CLEEP), which is part of President Arroyo’s efforts to curb the country’s unemployment rate which has been aggravated by the current global economic crunch.

Through the UDP, the DENR aims to reforest or boost with agro-forestry activities some 50,000 hectares of denuded upland areas and about 2,000 hectares of mangrove areas nationwide. – Marianne Go