by Noel Baguio
The provincial government of Davao del Norte supports the national government’s National Greening Program (NGP) of President Benigno Aquino III, according to provincial environment and natural resources officer Felix Abangin.
He said the new program is in harmony with the human-centered development strategy P.E.O.P.L.E. of Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario.
The agenda stands for People Empowerment, Education, Optimum Health and Social Services, Private-Public Partnership, Linking to the World and Employment and Livelihood Opportunities.
Del Rosario earlier explained that while environment is not explicitly spelled out in the PEOPLE agenda, the all-important centerpiece program on environment is very much embedded in the new strategy of the province, adding that environment is the underlying focus of his new strategic approach.
In his recent state of the province sddress (SOPA), the governor said Davao del Norte got an excellent rating in the environmental governance in the annual Local Governance Performance Management Systems (LGPMS), thanks to province’s programs on forest ecosystem management, freshwater ecosystem management and coastal marine ecosystem management.
Del Rosario said that in order to mitigate the impact of global warming on the livelihood of vulnerable sectors, the province has maintained its 204-hectare mangrove areas in Carmen, Panabo City and Tagum City.
The province also planted 250 mangrove seedlings to reinforce the fish sanctuary program in Tagum. Fifteen model farms were further developed for diversified farming where 8,000 planting seeds were distributed. A total of 207 hectares were likewise planted with budded rubber in distributed areas around Asuncion, Kapalong, San Isidro and Sto. Tomas.
This is on top of the existing 210-hectare rubber plantations established the past three years, pursuant to the PLGU’s subtle but effective strategy of combating illegal logging in the hinterlands.
The province also produced 40,000 seedlings of Benguet pine and falcate intended to match the still densely forested Bukidnon boundary adjacent to Sitio Natulinan, Brgy. Palma Gil in Talaingod.
“Through these accomplishments, Gov. Del Rosario has not left out environmental protection and rehabilitation, among the important thrusts of the provincial government,” Abangin said, adding that the PENRO–LGU will establish five more nurseries in its various municipalities, in order to provide 23 schools and five barangays with planting materials, as well as, extend technical assistance and services to stakeholders yet to be identified by the DENR.
“The clock is ticking for our Philippine forests and fortunately the NGP has bought us a little time to, hopefully, recover what we have lost,” Abangin said.
