TABUK CITY, Kalinga- – The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a two-day Environmental Tour and Forum, May 3-4.
Intended to strengthen participation in environmental governance guided by the principles of the department’s Program for Environment and Natural Resources for Restoration, Rehabilitation and Development (PRRD), the activity was centered on the opportunity for eco-tourism for the province to improve the socio-economic condition of the local communities.
The DENR says that the tour and forum promote the agency’s utmost drive for inclusive growth through the profitable and sustainable use of natural resources.
‘’As part of this sustainable use of natural resources is the 6.20 hectare agro area planted with fruit-bearing tress owned and maintained by nine individuals who are direct beneficiaries of the Apo Farmers Association,’’ Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) coordinator Rainier Sallaya said during the tour in barangay Balong, this city said.
Added to this, Sallaya informed that a 91.79 hectare reforestation area is maintained by 23 direct beneficiaries to rebuild natural habitats and ecosystems.
He added that in every hectare are 200 fruit-bearing and 100 forest trees planted.
To ensure the success and sustainability of the program, Perlita Nerja, department’s Public Affairs Office chief said that a technical assistance is given to beneficiaries.
Nerja also wants more areas be converted for reforestation projects in the province. This means that communities should offer their forested areas to DENR which will later be advantageous to direct beneficiaries.
Imelda Casiwan, OIC- ENRO Pinukpuk told that there is a need to enhance the National Greening Program (NGP) to improve reforestation programs. To enhance, she said waterworks systems must be installed, fuel reduction must be achieved to prevent forest fires and the whole area must be clean all year round.
Casiwan admitted that these efforts could be difficult but it can be possible with help from LGUs and other stakeholders.
Still on NGP, Tabuk CENRO Severino Dalutag, in the May 4 episode of Matagoan Hour, a radio program of the Tabuk City LGU aired over Muews Radio said that a 19,000 hectare Kalinga land area was allotted for reforestation and survival of trees planted are insured.
‘’Apart from NGP, the DENR also has array of services on environmental protection and management which are made known to public through continuous information campaign,’’ OIC- PENRO Noel Barrientos informed this writer.
Part of this, Barrientos told is the continuous monitoring of mining operations in the province as well as illegal logging of forest products. **Darwin S. SerionTabuk City Information Office
