DENR to reforest 100,000 hectares in 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to replant an initial 100,000 hectares this year under the National Greening Program which targets to reforest 1.5 million hectares.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. Paje said: “We are starting this year with at least 100,000 hectares of new plantations. This will be increased to 250,000 hectares next year, and further increased in the years ahead until we meet the programmed target as directed by President Aquino.”

Paje said this year’s target areas for reforestation include 60,000 hectares within community-managed forestlands including mangroves and coastal areas; 20,000 hectares within protected areas; 20,000 hectares in ancestral domain areas; and 10,000 hectares in other areas specifically described in EO 26, such as civil and military reservations, urban areas identified by local government units, riverbanks and streambanks, and inactive and abandoned mines.

The DENR has released the guidelines on the implementation of the National Greening Program which seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide in six years, from 2011 to 2016.

Paje issued DENR Memorandum Circular (MC) 2011-01, providing for the mechanics and specific targets of the National Greening Program.

Under Executive Order 26, President Aquino directed the DENR to lead in the implemention of National Greening Program.

According to Paje, “the guidelines were crafted in such manner as to ensure that all greening activities, whether by the government, local government units or by the private sector, will contribute to the objectives of the program like poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

Paje said the program calls for massive participation, not only in tree planting, but also in plantation maintenance and seedling production by all sectors of the Philippine society.

In consonance with the thrust of the government for food security, Paje said that aside from forest tree species, fruit-bearing trees will also be allowed to be planted under the program, such as mango, coffee, cacao, cashew, guyabano and many more.

Forest tree species identified for planting in the uplands include dipterocarps, narra and other premium and indigenous species, as well as fast growing species such as mahogany, gmelina, bagras, acacia and rubber.

Bamboos and mangrove species shall also be tapped as reforestation crops particularly in river banks and coastal areas to control soil erosion and as buffer against wave action.