DENR plans to boost incomes, ecology in poor areas

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will transform 29 marginalized communities into “income-generating sites” through its area management program (AMP).

“The AMP will provide alternative sources of livelihood that would promote the preservation of the environment and natural resources,” Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said in a statement yesterday.

The livelihood opportunities will be based on an area’s available resources as well as its needs and requirements.

Lopez cited as models ecotourism zones like the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City and the community-run Ugong Rock in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province.

Priority zones

Of the 29 priority areas, 13 are located in Luzon: Chico River and Mt. Pulag in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Zambales; Laur in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; Sierra Madre in Cagayan; Sierra Madre in Nueva Ecija; Kaliwa Watershed in Marikina; Batangas Coastline and Verde Passage; Laguna Lake; Palawan; Sibuyan Island; Romblon; Occidential and Oriental Mindoro, and Sorsogon.

The six sites in the Visayas are the provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, and the city of Iloilo.

The 10 sites in Mindanao are Saranggani, Caraga-Cantilan, South Upi, Marilog, Mt. Hamiguitan/Mati, Talaingog in Davao del Norte, Rajah Buayan, Dinagat Island, Tawi-tawi and Lanao del Sur.

Livelihood activities

The DENR identified as possible livelihood activities hardwood and fruit tree planting, coffee processing and trading, bamboo propagation, soft broom production, woodcraft and furniture manufacturing from gmelina lumber, and bamboo or tiger grass farming.

In a press conference last week, Lopez said the DENR will also be establishing the area management program in communities with mining sites.

The AMP will “regulate” the required Social Development and Management Program funds of the mining companies.

Changing policies

“We have Social Development and Management Program funds, which is 1.5 percent of [mining companies’] operating costs … What they do is they give this to the host community. I want to change that,” Lopez said.

“We’re going to change the policy. We will have public consultation … That fund will be regulated by the area management program of the DENR in consultation with the local government unit and mining companies,” Lopez said.

“I know if you use money well, you can make a massive difference. We want to partner with mining companies on social and economic impacts,” she said.