DENR plants 5 M trees in CDO

MANILA, Philippines – More than five million trees were planted in 10,700 hectares of land as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) attempts to rehabilitate the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio said several civil society organizations, church groups and other partners helped the agency in the effort to revive the river and promote disaster preparedness among communities.

The Cagayan de Oro River is one of the country’s major river basins and is a famous spot for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

Ignacio said the area is managed by the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council, which is headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma. The group works toward river rehabilitation and stronger risk management practices among community officers.

“Gone are the days when these natural resources are given to unscrupulous big businesses and outsiders to the detriment of local communities,” Ignacio said, adding that the DENR would ensure that local communities would gain lasting benefits from the sustainable use of the city’s natural resources.

The DENR also supervises 17 other river basins in the country. Management councils with multi-sector memberships are set to implement master plans and manage these areas.