SANTIAGO CITY (PIA) – Department of the Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan lauded mining companies in the region for their intensive cooperation with the government’s National Greening Program.
Bambalan, who addressed the opening program of the 2nd 2024 Stakeholders’ Forum at the Casa Jardin in this city recently, said they have established 763 hectares of reforestation areas planted with 552,574 seedlings from 2021 to 2024.
This year’s forum carries the theme: “Elevating Responsible and Sustainable Mining Towards Stronger Community Partnerships.”
She said this was attained with the support of the OceanaGold Philippines, Dinapigue Mining Company, and FCF Minerals Corporation.
“This endeavor is more than just a manifestation of our goal to strike a balance between protecting the environment, benefiting the local communities, and supporting the government’s socio-economic agenda,” Bambalan said.
She said that with their sustained collaboration with mining companies in the region, they aim to rehabilitate mined-out areas and undertake progressive rehabilitation in support of biodiversity conservation in mining areas.
Bambalan also praised the conduct of the 2nd 2024 Stakeholders’ Forum initiated by the DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau led by Regional Director Mario Ancheta.
“We are delighted for the participatory approach of learning in this forum, convening not only the mining companies but also partner government agencies, private organizations, representatives in the local communities, and the media as well,” she said. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)
