DBP Forest takes root in Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - The Development Bank of the Philippines has launched its 34th DBP Forest project in Ubay, Bohol. The project seeks to protect a watershed area and prevent the occurrence of forest fires.

The 34th forest project will focus on the planting of fruit-bearing and forest trees in a 100-hectare considered as disaster-prone due to the yearly occurrence of forest fire.

The initiative will also protect a watershed area that supports the Ubay Water Service Cooperative. A non-credit initiatives, the DBP Forest project supports and encourages the reforestation of open areas through the planting and cultivation of relatively high value fruit trees and crops, as well as the rehabilitation of coastal areas through the planting and cultivating of mangroves and sea grasses, in partnership with the local communities.

The initiative also seeks to preserve the environment and intensify reforestation efforts not only to protect lives and properties from natural calamities, but also to provide livelihood opportunities for host communities.

Launched in 2005, the DBP Forest project presently covers 5,754 hectares of upland and coastal areas, with about 3,654 hectares planted with trees such as mangrove, mango, rambutan, pomelo, rubber, bamboo, and narra.

Some of these DBP forest projects are located in Cagayan, Pangasinan, Nueva Viscaya, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Palawan, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Iloilo, Leyte, Northern Samar, Agusan del Norte and Saranggani.