DENR forges 25-year deal with orgs for agro-forestry program

CEBU, Philippines - More than 50 people’s organizations in Cebu province are now placed in the frontline in the implementation of the government’s enhanced Natural Greening Program (NGP) that has evolved into an agro-forestry from being a mere forest rehabilitation program.

Jose Cleo Cary Colis, the officer-in-charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Cebu, said these registered organizations had forged a 25-year agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for them to manage their respective forest and timber lands.

Colis said that among the salient points cited in the contract is for the organizations to work together to guard and protect their lands and to conserve its natural assets or rehabilitate them, if needed.

Significantly, the members are allowed to utilize wisely the forest products within their area, but this is subject to the supervision and approval of DENR.

“They are given the privilege to manage and harvest the trees that they have planted but has to ask permit from DENR before they would proceed to any activity,” he said in a radio-live forum dubbed “Kapihan sa PIA” this week.

Colis said that since the enhanced program has just been introduced in the province this year, their office seeks to create a “social entrepreneurship mindset” that would provide opportunities for people for commercial enterprise so that they can also learn to preserve and appreciate their own resources.

He explained that the government has shifted in dealing with agro-forestry into something that would address the livelihood needs of locals and at the same time make them partners in preserving their natural assets.

NGP used to be just a massive reforestation project of DENR.

One of the successful community-based projects established from the old NGP was the coffee plantations in Tuburan, Cebu that still thrives and continues to boost their produce up to this date.

This time, PENRO is eyeing at bamboo as a priority commodity because it is among the fast-growing plants, has high value for mitigating climate change and it can also be processed into various furniture products.

When bamboo is harvested, it will grow a new shoot from its extensive root with no need for additional planting or cultivation.

The national government earmarked around P50 million this year for Cebu province to sustain the newly-developed program.

Since the enhanced scheme has just been implemented this year, one of the hindrances they met is the absence of established people’s organizations in some localities, which prompted Colis to urge every barangay to organize its own group for them to benefit from the program. —/GAN (FREEMAN)