Refore station gets P370M

ABOUT P370 million has been allotted for the implementation of the national reforestation program in Central Visayas by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 7) this year.

DENR 7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said the budget is for the National Greening Program (NGP) that was started in December 2011.

In a press statement, the regional office said it intends to reforest at least 24,461 hectares of forest land this year. The target last year was 10,623 hectares.

In the 2013 physical and financial plan, the budget is divided among the four provinces in the region, with Cebu getting the biggest chunk at P152.196 million. This covered 9,429 hectares.

Negros, Bohol, Siquijor

Cebu was followed by Negros Oriental, with P136.103 million for 9,689 hectares; Bohol with P76.199 million for 5,058 hectares; and Siquijor at P4.532 million for 185 hectares.

The NGP was implemented under Executive Order (EO) 26 issued by President Benigno Aquino III, which aims to reforest 1.5 million hectares of land and promote a sustained environmental awareness nationwide.

Montejo said the reforestation program’s objectives include poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Seedlings

As of Dec. 14 last year, DENR 7 had distributed and planted 7,985,542 seedlings, which covered 10,896.10 hectares of public land in Central Visayas against its 10,623-hectare target for 2012.

Montejo said forests help regulate climate and provide clean water and air.

Forests also help stabilize watersheds and provide food and shelter to wildlife, and maintain biodiversity, he said.