DENR-7 Exceeds NGP Target by 3% for 2015

(PIA) – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) went over its target for the plantations establishment in the National Greening Program (NGP) by 3% this year.

To date, DENR-7 reported to have produced 13,911,120 seedlings of native and indigenous species and reforested about 15,881.59 hectares against its target of reforesting 15,881.59 hectares in 2015.

DENR-7 OIC Chief of Planning and Management Division Dr. Eddie Llamedo said this is based on the report released by the Conservation and Development Division (CDD) as of November 24.

Llamedo said DENR-7 is providing livelihood opportunities to members of a people’s organizations (PO) by engaging them in planting and maintaining the established plantations.

DENR-7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said for five years now since its implementation in 2011, Region 7 has always been on top when it comes to NGP.

Of the total accomplishment, Cebu province yielded 3,010,600 seedlings planted in 4,792 hectares or 30.17%; Bohol with 4,326,500 seedlings in 3,359 hectares or 21.15%; Negros Oriental with 6,473,520 seedlings in 7,545.59 hectares or 47.51%; and 110,500 seedlings in 185 hectares or 1.16% in Siquijor.

“We are very grateful on the continued help and support that we are getting from our private partner, POs, local government units and other stakeholders. We hope for a stronger collaboration with these partners in our future programs, projects and activities,” said Montejo.

Greening some 1.5 hectares of degraded forest lands for 6 years, NGP also aims to essentially develop a sustainable forest resource base to accelerate the national greening campaign to address poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

NGP also seeks to improve water quality in rivers and irrigation for farm lands, reduce the potential for flooding, soak up carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and lay the foundation for an expanded wood-products economy.

With the success of NGP implementation from 2011 to present, Montejo vowed to continue the good accomplishment of the region until its end in 2016. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7 with DENR-7)