200 Mindanao villages enlisted in reforestation project
FILE PHOTO
DAVAO CIT, Philippines—The government is aiming to turn at least 200 Mindanao villages into reforestation areas where the villagers themselves will generate at least two million seedlings of forest tree species, Malacañang’s development arm in the south said Thursday.
The move came following the government’s recognition that Mindanao, generally typhoon free for years, is now a typhoon- and flood-prone region.
Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, said the project fell under the National Greening Program and was collaboration between Mindanao Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
She said the DENR has committed to allocate P100,000 to generate at least 10,000 seedlings per barangay aside from the establishment of village-based nurseries.
“Called the Barangay Stratreegic Forest Project, the activity is designed to rehabilitate natural habitats and strengthen multi-sectoral commitment in the reforestation of Mindanao’s denuded areas,” Antonino said in a statement.
Antonino said under the initial phase of implementation, at least 200 planting sites will be identified, including those located near critical coastal areas and rivers.
To ensure the success of the project, Antonino said the government has included “sustainable livelihood programs to ensure that the barangay constituents can develop a steady source of income” while they help protect the environment.
She said under the Barangay Stratreegic Forest Project, a Payment for Environment Services (PES) scheme is also being put in place “to guarantee sustainability of industries that are dependent on natural resources and help restore areas with heavily degraded environment.”
In Naawan, Misamis Oriental, for example, the local government has successfully implemented its PES program by collecting P1 for every cubic meter of water that a household consumes, she said.
“The pooled funds will be allocated for the reforestation of Lake Danao, the town’s water source to ensure sustainability of their local water system, which is dependent on the lake,” she said.
While the Mindanao Development Authority remains dependent on local leaders for the success of the program, Antonino said, the government is also considering partnership with corporations for incentives to be given to the top performing barangays.
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