CENRO Ayungon cites as a model site of NGP

By Hazel F. Gloria

Sunday 17th of June 2012

NEGROS ORIENTAL, June 17 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas named the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Ayungon, Negros Oriental as a model site in the entire country for the implementation of the national greening program (NGP).

This came after 930 hectares of degraded forestlands were fully rehabilitated or an increase of 103.8 percent of the target of 896 hectares in 2011 with a survival rate of 90 percent which is considered the highest.

CENR Officer Charlie Fabre said the achievement is attributed to the strong and vibrant support and commitment from the seven local government units and ten people’s organizations (POs).

He mentioned the importance of establishing and adopting an approved forest land use plan (FLUP) by LGUs as the same could be a very good instrument or tool to delineate production and protection of the forest.

Of the seven LGUs, Ayungon yielded the biggest area covered with trees of 708 hectares or 236 percent of its 300-hectare target.

“They have been very supportive to the greening program and the complementary roles of LGUs are just so impressive”, he added.

About 927,000 fast growing species and 169,500 seedlings consisting of forest and fruit trees were also raised by CENRO Ayungon nursery to augment the tree planting requirements of the NGP.

“We have seen and witnessed how the LGUs and POs nurtured the program and we urged everyone to also contribute and show the same amount of support as this is essentially critical to maintain a balanced ecosystem,” DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said.

Due to the citation, the said office was given an additional 2,750 hectares to be planted with various native and endemic tree species this year on top of this year’s target of 1,518 hectares.

Likewise, Montejo stressed that NGP is pursued to reduce poverty in the upland areas, sustain food security, increase land productivity, promote environmental stability and sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and value formation.

He articulated trees could sequester carbon as they regulate climate, and provide clean water and clean air for a healthier environment.

“NGP which is a priority of President Benigno S. Aquino III intends to plant 1.5 billion trees in some 1.5 million hectares from 2011 to 2016, which is more than twice the government’s accomplishment of 730,000 hectares for the past 25 years,” Montejo added.

Meanwhile, a 1.5 hectare nursery facility located in Barangay Banban, Ayungon which can accommodate 400,000 seedlings was established last year and around 200,000 seedlings are up or ready for planting. The municipal government of Ayungon provides the water system to the nursery.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR-7)