DENR,LGU South Cotabato to launch Intrnational Year of Forests

DENR,  LGU South Cot. launch International Year of Forests

MOA on Sapali River Rehab inked

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII launched Wednesday last week (February 2, 2011) the International Year of Forests, 2011 in cooperation with the local government units (LGU's) of  T'boli municipality and South Cotabato Province.

           

            A launching program was held at Barangay Edwards, T'boli town in South Cotabato.

 

            In his message, DENR Regional Executive Director Alfredo S. Pascual declared that forests embody the sum total of nature's bounty such as biodiversity, water and mineral resources, among others. Further, Dir. Pascual cited that the theme which focuses on "Forests for People" conveys the multiple values and the central role of people in the sustainable management conservation and development of our forests.

 

            Similarly, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) of South Cotabato Mama G. Samaon exhorted the attendees to nurture and protect our forest by means of continuous tree planting.

 

            The launching program was highlighted with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between three parties. The MOA calls for a joint implementation of  the rehabilitation of the Sapali River in Barangay Edwards through planting of bamboo along its river bank within a stretch of two kilometers.  Signatories to the agreement were Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Jerry B. Dalauta (DENR-Banga), Edwards Barangay  Chair Eden F. Pedregosa, and  SUMIFRU (Phils.) Corp. District Manager  Emilio O. Grande.

 

Under the agreement, DENR shall provide technical assistance to partners while the Edwards Barangay Government shall  promote and pass ordinances and resolutions in support to the National Greening Program and assist in the care of the bamboo plantation, among others. As adopter, SUMIFRO shall take an active role in the  maintenance and protection of bamboos including the submission of periodic information regarding the project to the DENR.

 

Some 500  bamboo planting stocks were planted along Sapali River in Barangay Edwards by the participants which included local officials and students of Barangay Edwards National High School.

 

            The event was also graced by DENR Regional Technical Director for Forestry Ernesto L. Lezada, South Cotabato Provincial Environment and Management Officer (PEMO) Ramon Ponce B. de Leon, and T'boli Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Julian C. Asion, Jr.

 

Year 2011 was declared as  International Year of Forests by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 61/193 way back in December 2006. The celebration aims to highlight the importance of forests in everyday life, to raise awareness and strengthen sustainable forest management of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.( CG Valdez / MC Locsin /DENR XII)