P136M set aside for 13M reforestation seedlings

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has put aside around P136.566 million for the production of about 12.9 million seedlings of various native and endemic species this year for the national greening program in Central Visayas.

 DENR-7 has a target of reforesting roughly 24,461 hectares of identified forest land and NGP sites in the four provinces in Region 7.

 As indicated in the approved physical and financial plan for 2013 released by the Planning Management Division, Cebu province will have to turn out approximately 5 million seedlings to reforest at least 9,642 hectares; Bohol to produce 3.302 million seedlings for 5,142 hectares; Negros Oriental has to generate 4.566 million seedlings to cover 9,142 hectares; and Siquijor with 37,000 seedlings for 185 hectares of forest lands.

With a target higher by 230 percent than last year, DENR-7 regional director Isabelo Montejo expressed confidence that it would be able to muster the needed social mobilization efforts to surpass its record in 2012.

 â€œWith around 111 functional and efficient nurseries established and operating in the region, we are positive that we would be able to accomplish with the cooperation and assistance by our well-meaning partners and other stakeholders,” said Montejo.

Consistent with President Aquino’s Philippine Development Plan to guarantee environmental protection and conservation, Montejo directed all provincial and community environment and natural resources officers to take off very actively the generation or production of seedlings as early as January this year so that planting and growing could begin during rainy season.

Montejo said that DENR-7 has the facilities and technical capabilities to ensure the production of high quality native seedlings as there are about 3,600 species of trees found in the country.

Shifted to grow endemic and native species in the Philippines, namely, guijo or Shorea guiso, kamagong or Diospyrus discolor, red lauan or Shorea negrosensis and white lauan or Shorea contorta, tindalo or Afzelia rhomboidea, yakal or Shorea astylosa, molave or Vitex parviflora, among others.   (FREEMAN)