MPC DELIVERS 98MW TO MINDANAO GRID

By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.

            Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) has been delivering 98 Megawatts of electricity since September 6.

MPC Plant Manager Engr. Rubin Ramilo told Newsmen that as of September 6, 2013 Plants No, 1 and 2 delivered 58 and 40 megawatts, respectively.

Ramilo was responding to queries about reports that one of the reasons cited by Mayor Celso Regencia of Iligan in his letter recalling the Certificate of Compliance signed by his Chief of Staff and issued by his Office was that MPC has not attained full capacity.

He said that 98 megawatts is the full capacity of the Plants.

He said that MPC received the Mayor’s letter on October 26 recalling the said Certificate of Compliance on the ground that the Plants were not delivering at full capacity and that Chief of Staff Melchor Alquisola was not authorized to sign that letter.

He added that he personally delivered MPC’s reply on October 29 where they stated that the Plants are now operating at full capacity and that they have no control of who in the Mayor’s Office signed the Certification.

“There was probably a misinterpretation of the digital printouts of the test results,” he opined.

Asked to comment on reports that Engr. Robert Ong said he thought he was just asked to sign an attendance sheet, Ramilo said that Engr. Ong and Atty. Tomas Cabili read the digital printouts of the test results and then affixed their initials on the Certificate of Compliance below the name of CELSO G. REGENCIA, City Mayor.

The Certificate of Compliance refers to the Terms of Reference of the Sale of the Power Plant by the City Government of Iligan to CONAL HOLDINGS, the owner of Mapalad Power Corporation.

Operation of MPC to full capacity has helped in ending the brownouts in the island of Mindanao.

Aboitiz Group targets 200 -million for Yolanda relief

                            
The Aboitiz Group in the Philippines is targeting to raise P200-million for the immediate relief and long -term rehabilitation of areas hit by super typhoon  Yolanda.
  In a statement, Abotiz group President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz said the group  has so far raised P95-million  from pledges coming from family members, external donors and compapnies under Aboitiz umbrella.
  A special task force has been created within the Aboitiz Group to consolidate vital resources and donations.
  "We expect more donations to come in from family, friends and the public due to the magnitude of the relief  and rehabilitation  reqired in the affected areas," Aboitiz said.
   In an internal memo to all employees of the group, Aboitiz called for volunteers who are willing to fly to Cebu-- the command center of the relief effort --and eventually to Leyte to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the group. The company will shoulder transportation,board and lodging.
  "Let us draw from our passion to serve and heed this call of action amid this time of crisis", he said.
   Out of the P95-million raised so far, P50 million comes from Aboitiz Foundation, P25-million from Union Bank, P15- million from SN Aboitiz Power and P5-million from mega star Sharon Cuneta.
   In Mindanao,Aboitiz subsidiaries include Davao Light and Cotabato Light, power barge operator Therma Marine, hydropower experts, Hedcor, Therma South, flour and feed miller Pilmico as well as banking subsidiaries Union Bank and City Savings Bank.
    Aboitiz Foundation has been operating a command center in Cebu since Sunday and has targeted to distribute 14,500 relief packs  to the hardest hit areas in Northern Cebu until the end of the week.
     The areas identified were Bogo, San Regimio, Medellin and Bantayan. A separate relief effort will also be organized in Leyte.
      A contingent  of  20 personnel from  the Philippine Navy is accompanying the team for added security.
      The 100 year old company traces its roots in the Visayas where many of its employees also come from.         The company has offered immediate assistance to employees who may have been affected, or may have family members who were affected by Yolanda.
       The group's power business unit, Visayan Electric Company, the second biggest power distributor in the country has also successfully restored 94% of electriccity in its franchise area by working round the clock to fix lines and poles damaged by Yolanda. Sister  company Davao Light has sent additional manpower to further speed up power restortion.
       Individual can help through UnionBank's UShare portal or the Union Bank of the Philippine Account No.10026-1070944. For City Savings Bank, the account No.is 200-20031301.
       The public may also visit www.aboitizfoundation.org and click the "Donate" button.
        Representatives on the field are Sonny Carpio ( +639178011068) and Judd Salas (+639173013469)
        (Mindanao Daily News)

ARMM relief mission underway

                                                MOH I. SAADUDDIN
KIDAPAWAN CITY: Humanitarian volunteers from the Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur were set to arrive on Friday in Tacloban City, Leyte, to deliver relief goods and provide medical assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

  The trepartite medical and relief mission,formed under the ARMM's Humanitarian  Emergency Action and Response Team (Heart), would hopefully offset  instances of disorganized  and slow dispensation of relief  goods and services, Regional Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said, referring to international media reports of alleged government inept attention to storm-flattened villages in the Visayas.
  Gov. Mujiv Hataman of ARMM coordinated with Gov.Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and Gov.Mamintal Adiong Jr. of  Lanao del Sur in organizing the joint mission. The officials are known loyal allies of President Aquino3rd, whose administration has been criticized by foreign media personalities for alleged weak response  to the meseries  of typhoon victims.
  Mangudadatu said he would accompany some 100 volunteers including nine doctors and 30 nurses from his province ,and supervise the operations of the four mobile hospitals; which were purchased earlier by his office for emergency treatment of ailing villagers and some remote areas. 
   Mangudadatu  was supposed to commenced its weeklong celebration of its 4th founding  anniversary on Friday, but  chose to organize the humanitarian mission to symphatized  with the victims of the typhoon in Samar and Leyte.
   "This is more important....." he said referring to the humanitarian mission.
   Hataman also instructed provincial officials to tone down the celebration  of the ARMM's 24th founding anniversary and cut commemorative cost to muster relief items for distribution to the typhoon victims.
   The tripartite relief mission has pooled medical supplies food stuff and other basic household needs worth "several millions of pesos,organizers said.
    The Maguindanao provicial government alone contributed " tons of rice  and fresh fish" besides packages of medicines, kitchen utensils, sleeping mats, blankets and mosquito nets, provincial budget officer Lynette Estandarte said.
     Meanwhile, Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza of North Cotabato said her province will also ship food stuffs and other relief items to typhoon victims in Region 8 on Sunday. Several public and private entities have responded to her call for donations now stored at the capitol complex. (MANILA TIMES) 

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City in support to the National Greening Program

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

                                                           MARIZ REVALES  

  In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

  In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to th

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

    In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Eng

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

    In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

r. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

e National Greening Program

    In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Engr. E

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

    In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a planta

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

    In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

    In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

    The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations

       Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

    “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

       The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

tion with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

       According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

unice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

      The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

   The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

 

             (07, November 2013, Kidapawan City) –  In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a  four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

 

            The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism  Park  in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

 

            Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA)  or seed stands  is  the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural  stands or plantations. 

 

            “In establishing a SPA,  the tree stands are  upgraded and managed entirely  to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a  balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

 

 The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website  (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

 

According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier  of forest tree seedlings in the region. A  great volume of seeds were  sourced out  from forest  trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park.  Thus, there is a need  to  improve and manage  forest trees  in the area  in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

 

            The establishment  of  Seed Production Area (SPA)  in Cotabato Province  is very vital  to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest  tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge  volume of  seed requirement  under the NGP and other  similar programs  aimed  to address  the ill effects  of  environmental degradation and climate change.

 

            The NGP is a  six-year  priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires  the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands,  abandoned mining sites,  urban areas as identified by  the local officials and other  open areas that need rehabilitation. (Eunice S. Calawen/Manuela C. Locsin/DENR XII).