A state-run university in Southwestern Mindanao or Region 12, one of the oldest academic institutions in the area, has accepted the challenge to operate a clonal facility to support a reforestation program in the region.
Dr. Jesus Antonio G. Derije, president of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato, said the school has agreed with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to host a clonal facility for the seedling requirements of the National Greening Program (NGP).
“We will utilize our students to assist activities related to the [implementation] of the greening program in our region,” he said.
Previously, Derije said the school’s participation to the reforestation program of the DENR was dismal because a sense of ownership was never felt.
With the agreement, he said this is a “welcome development as the university is joining hands with the DENR to contribute our share in the meaningful implementation of the NGP.”
The NGP is the flagship reforestation program of the Aquino administration that seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees until 2016 across the country in an area of about 1.5 million hectares.
Adeluisa Siapno, DENR Region 12 director, said that under the agreement, the DENR will extend P3.5 million to USM for the operation of a clonal facility. [Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews]
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