By Saul E. Pa-a
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Jan. 27 – Newly-designated Regional Executive Director Reynulfo Juan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for Calabarzon reported a 99.13-percent accomplishment in the region’s massive tree planting activities following President Benigno Aquino III’s National Greening Program (NGP) that covered Southern Luzon provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
Speaking at the “Talakayan sa PIA IV-A” media forum Friday, Juan attributed this feat to the support of public and private organizations, non-government organizations, environment–oriented foundations and civic-spirited citizens in the region.
He vowed to intensify the NGP program for trees planted last year in more than 4,000 hectares across the region to 11,361 hectares this year.
NGP regional coordinator for Calabarzon Manuel Escasura assured that the regional environment agency has allocated a P100-million fund for 7 million tree seedlings, saplings and mangrove propagules with additional commitments from the private sectors.
As the region’s greening program received massive support and positive feedback, the DENR regional head also vowed to tighten forest protection through surveillance and monitoring of illegal logging in the region’s half million hectares of forest cover. Rampant illegal logging could trigger a disaster where 25 percent of the region’s land area is susceptible to landslides.
“Madaling manghuli, pero ang pagpuputol ay ginagawan namin ng strategy upang masugpo,” Juan declared as he spearheaded the DENR close coordination with the Philippine Army, the indigenous peoples, residents, constituents and the Sierra Madre movement for a 24/7 operations in Gen. Nakar, Infanta and Real, Quezon yesterday.
Juan also disclosed that illegally cut logs are hauled down from the Sierra Madre mountain ridge and brought to Mauban, Quezon. While the agency has conducted clandestine operations against lawless elements, he also agreed with media reports that some politicians and local officials are in cohorts with the perpetrators.
“Our Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) has already filed cases,” Juan said as he offered short and long term solutions to document these violations in order for the department to file cases. He also explained that the agency has been conducting investigations and appropriate administrative sanctions are also imposed on the agency’s erring employees.
He reported that the agency has already raised the issues and filed manifestations in court to appeal that those arrested should not be immediately released pending investigation.
Assuring transparent transactions, Juan also urged media to assist the agency in reporting cases as the anti-illegal logging campaign heightened to include even “citizen’ s arrest” for notorious violators.
Juan identified more areas for tree planting especially in Siniloan, Laguna with the support from Metrobank and Maynilad Water.
The DENR regional director also reported the agency’s projects in the upper Marikina watershed protected area with P50 million fund covering rehabilitation of downstreams from Antipolo, San Mateo and Rodriquez, Rizal to Marikina, Pasig and Quezon City.
Stating that these mitigating measures require a masterplan, Juan said “ito ay seryosong trabaho, kahit unti-unti basta sigurado” as he elaborated tree planting at the upper areas combined with fiber-matting on slopes and siltation traps along the rivers. The plan calls for private sector participation as these involve industries and informal settlers along riverbanks.
He also reported that the DENR and Department of Agriculture have joint projects termed “convergence” in agro-forestry, organic farming and food security.
In cooperation with the Departments of National Defense (DND) and Interior and Local Government (DILG), the DENR has impounded the confiscated logs in favor of the government. The logs are then donated to the Department of Education (DepEd) as materials for school children’s desks and chairs.
Assuring that the tree planting flagship project is doable, Juan said that DENR Secretary Ramon Paje has instructed CENRO officers to submit their reports under oath including the Regional Director’s and an independent audit team also inspects the field officers’ report. (PNA) LAP/SEP/utb