DENR inks accord with universities to plant 1.5 B seedlings

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with five universities to plant of 1.5 billion seedlings under the government’s National Greening Program (NGP).

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the universities are Kalinga Apayao State College, Bohol Island State University, Apayao State College, Ramon Magsaysay Technological University and the University of Eastern Philippines in Samar.

Under the MOA, the DENR will provide financial support to the schools for the construction of clonal nurseries and facilities, program on manpower development and related activities pertaining to clonal propagation technology.

“We will also provide assistance in seed sourcing, collection, processing and storage as well as establishment of clonal nurseries and facilities,” Paje said.

He said they will also mobilize bureaus, attached agencies and regional offices to support the schools in the implementation of the project.

Apart from managing the funds to be used in the establishment of clonal nurseries, the schools will propose the areas where the clonal facilities will be set up, subject to the approval of DENR-regional executive directors.

The schools will also oversee the establishment, maintenance and operation of clonal nursery and related facilities. They will be responsible for the production of quality planting materials for the NGP.

“They are also expected to provide the DENR an accounting report on the use and disbursement of the fund,” he said.

Last Feb. 24 President Aquino issued Executive Order No. 26 declaring the implementation of NGP as a government priority for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

For next year, the DENR is increasing the target area for planting under the NGP, from 100,000 hectares this year to 200,000 hectares. This will be further increased to 300,000 hectares in the succeeding years until 2016 which would require a total of 1.5 billion seedlings throughout the six-year program.