Forest Development/Implementation of National Greening Program CY 2011
• Implementation of National Greening Program (NGP): The National Greening Program is a government priority or flagship program by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 26 dated February 24, 2011 that aims to achieve poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The objective is to plant some 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares for a period of six (6) years from 2011 to 2016 in the following lands of public domain: forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations, urban areas under the greening plan of the LGUs, inactive and abandoned mine sites and, other suitable lands.
The program deals not only with tree planting but also, tree growing. Quality Planting Materials that is, with highest viability is one of the factors to be considered. The procurement of seedlings was selected thru bidding. One of the qualifications, the contractor must be a registered nursery operator to ensure the quality of planting materials.
In order to ensure the successful implementation of the project, the following strategies were adopted:
Social Mobilization wherein all students identified by the DepEd and CHED, and all government employees shall be individually required to plant a minimum of ten (10) seedlings per year. Private sectors and civil society groups are also encouraged to participate;
Harmonization of all greening efforts and tree planting initiatives of the government, private sectors, civil society groups and LGUs. Technical assistance shall be provided by DA, DENR, and DAR under the Convergence Initiative.
For this year, the Region was tasked to develop a total of 6,135 hectares. As part of the implementation of NGP, the DENR CALABARZON Region conducted the NGP SUMMIT last May 19, 2011 at Yazaki Torres, Calamba City, Laguna and participated by a total of 202 participants coming from the DENR –Central Office (7), Regional (57) and field offices (31), Private Sectors/Business Sectors (20), National Government Agencies (20), Local Government Units(22), Academe/ Advocacy(28), Civil Organizations/NGOs/ Pos (6) and members of the press/media (11). The detailed discussion on this Summit is provided on Cross-Cutting Accomplishments part of this Annual Report.
The regional and field offices conducted perimeter survey and mapping of all identified NGP sites (CBFM areas, Urban Watershed and LGUs identified areas, PACBRMA areas and outside PACBRAMA areas but within PA) using GIS. Series and continuous coordination with various schools, private individuals and LGUs concerned in the execution of agreements for this program were being done.
As part of i n i t i a l launching of NGP during A r bo r D a y Cel e br a ti on, simul taneous tree planting activi ty w as conducted. The tree planting a c t i vi t y in Brgy. T al a, R i z a l w e re participated by more than 100 personnel from t he R egi on O f f i c e , PENRO/CENRO Laguna staff, LGUs, PNP/Military, teachers and students from Cristobal S. Conducto Memorial National High School, Riders Club, NGOs, POs and other private sectors. The area covers a total of 5 hectares and planted with 2,500 forest tree seedlings of Narra, Ipil, Supa, Bitaog and Calumpit.
• Seedling Production/ Procurement The Region were able to produced/procured a total of 3,164,512 assorted seedlings of indigenous/premium forest species, fruit trees and other forest species.
• Site identification, Preparation and Social Mobilization (SOCMOB) For the first year implementation of NGP in the Region, a total target of 6,135 hectares; by FMS(4,735) and by additional ERDB sites (1,400) were identified, mapped and prepared for planting through social mobilization approach. Samples of maps prepared are provided in this report as Figures III-7, III-8, III-9, III-10, and III-11.
Also, sample images during the preparation of identified sites for development and social mobilization are shown in below photos.
• Plantation Development Of to date, a total of 5,903 hectares of lands or 96% of the region’s total target w e r e d e v e l o p e d . T he 4,7 3 5 h e c t a r e s target of the Regi on w as f u l l y accomplished. The remaining 232 hectares are supposed to be planted with seedlings from the ERDB but the said Bureau was not able to supply the required planting materials in full.
The tree planting activity were participated by 68,182 planters/volunteers. The area developed were distributed in different categories which is presented as Table III-12.
• Maintenance and Protection of Established Plantations—The Region’s reforestation effort was continued with greater resolve and effort. A total of 1,337 hectares of forestlands planted to trees with protective and commercial values have been continuously supported with budget to ensure its required silvicultural maintenance and protection from fire, pest and disease. The activity was implemented by a contractor under the supervision of the DENR. Strip brushing, weeding, replanting and construction of fire lines are among the activities conducted. Also, removal of tidal debris and barnacles is being done in mangrove plantations.
The plantations were subjected to r e q u i r e d maintenance within the two (2) year period after planting under UDP and w a t e r s h e d rehabili tati on and restoration program. A total of 472 h e c t a r e s , 2 7 8 h ec t a r es und e r reforestati on and 194 hectares under ANR/Stream-bank/Mangrove scheme. The locations are provided as Annex III-8.
For the maintenance and protection within the 3-year old plantations are those seedlings planted in 2008 and 2009. A total of 865 hectares were maintained and protected, 535 hectares of sparsely-wooded grassland were reforested and 330 hectares within the watersheds including those planted in mangrove areas and tidal flats. The locations and area of plantations being maintained are provided as Annexes III-9.
• DA-DAR-DENR Convergence Approach/National Convergence Initiative (NCI) - a total of 1,000 hectares, of potential sites for Agribusiness under the Convergence approach were identified and assessed, 200 hectares each province. It is in compliance to the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 Series of 1999, further revitalized through issuances of JMC 2004-01 and JMC 2006-01, the DA-DARDENR Convergence Initiatives towards Sustainable Rural Development.
Under the NCI, a “ridge to reef” approach driven by a value chain, led by LGU’s, fuelled by private sector investments and supported by DA-DAR DENR Convergence Initiative for sustainable rural development shall be employed in the implementation of the Enhanced National Convergence Initiative Plan to address sustainable development at the local levels (province, cities, and municipalities).
The activities undertaken was joint planning workshop, provincial NCI launching, formation of technical working group/steering committee, capacity building, IEC, and project process documentation and reporting. The locations was presented below as Table III-13.
• Rehabilitation of Nurseries and Facilities
Clonal Nursery— Generally, it envisioned to produce millions of high quality planting materials in support to National Greening Program. The nursery was located at Brgy. Malicboy, Pagbilao, Quezon. Continuous production and maintenance of seedlings are being done. Also, rehabilitation of perimeter fence and construction of 4.60 meters by 6.60 meters. A seed storage with airconditioning unit and freezer was likewise constructed to ensure quality and protection of seeds. Moreover, maintenance of existing facilities were also undertaken during this year.
Forest Nursery or Regional Seedling Production and Training Facility— The mission of the regional nursery is to grow quality seedling to support the reforestation and rehabilitation programs in the region. The nursery is located at Brgy. Lamot, Calauan, Laguna with an area of 10,000 square meters. Facilities/ Infrastructures includes, 8 nursery sheds, water system training building which is being used as potting shed, green house and office as well. Regular grass cutting on the surrounding grounds is being done. Continuous production of seedlings was part of regular activities in the nursery. Currently, around 50,000 assorted forest and fruit bearing tree species are raisedand taken cared of by four (4) hired laborers.