DENR-7, CNU: sign agreementto reforest Gaas

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Cebu Normal University – Main Campus and Barangay Gaas, Balamban Cebu to establish a five-hectare forest plantation to support the national greening program.

Isabelo R. Montejo, DENR-7 executive director, said that they support the noble endeavor of CNU and Barangay Gaas to reforest some of the denuded areas for the conservation, development and sustainable use of the country’s environment and natural resources.

Under the MOA, the DENR agreed to initially provide 2,500 forest and fruit tree seedlings to be planted within Barangay Gaas, and provide technical assistance on the conduct of tree planting, maintenance activities, periodic monitoring and evaluation in coordination with the partner agencies. The MOA also stated that CNU shall provide manpower and other material inputs in the establishment of a nursery and to produce the seedlings required in its tree planting and maintenance activities to ensure their survival.

According to Montejo, this five-hectare forest plantation is set to be completed within two years.

This project, Montejo said,  marks the strong partnership and collaboration of the DENR with the academe and local government units in pursuing sustainable environmental programs not only in the province but in the whole Central Visayas.

President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order 26 on February 24, 2011 establishing the NGP not only to reforest 1.5 million hectares of land but also to promote a sustained environmental awareness campaign in the face of the deleterious effects of climate change.— FPL (FREEMAN)