DENR-8 reforests 16T has in EV with 28 million trees

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — At least 16,000 hectares of denuded, degraded and non-productive areas in Eastern Visayas had been reforested with close to 28 million seedlings last year, under the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 8.

DENR-8 Regional Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca, in his report, said that last year's implementation of the NGP, the regional office produced a total of 27,993,186 seedlings of various tree species that in turn planted on 16,816 hectares, covering different areas in Region 8.

The report also showed that 13,590 hectares of mangrove and beach forest areas were maintained and protected, under the Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Project (MBFDP), a component program under NGP.

The MBFDP is aimed at developing and enhancing the natural defenses and resilience of the region's coastlines from the impacts of climate change, Sibbaluca said.

These newly reforested areas in Eastern Visayas were part of the country's 267,405 hectares planted with 397,410,173 seedlings in 2016 under the NGP, he said.

The records have also showed that from the year 2011 to 2016, a total area of 122,692.53 hectares were also reforested with 124,643,193 seedling of various species throughout the region.

The top DENR-8 official said the achievement of the agency's target for the country's biggest reforestation project is made possible through partnership with civil society organizations, academe, non-government organizations, and government agencies.

Sibbaluca told The Freeman that DENR-8 is now eyeing some 15,000 hectares to be reforested this year, expecting the same cooperation from partners in the government greening efforts, as in previous years.

This year, DENR-8 is set to reforest over 22,000 hectares with 17 million seedlings under the NGP. Areas to be reforested include upland, mangrove, and beach forests, he said.

The NGP, targeting to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares from 2011-2016 has been extended to 2028 through Executive Order No. 193 signed in November 12, 2015 by then president Benigno Aquino.

This extension was made to accelerate the rehabilitation and reforestation of all remaining denuded, degraded, and unproductive areas in the country, Sibbaluca added. (FREEMAN)