P4.2M allocated for seedling production, plantation

A TOTAL of 18 wood processing plants (WPPs) in Davao del Norte will pour in some P4.2 million for the seedling production and establishment of 210 hectares of commercial tree plantations in the province in support of the National Greening Program (NGP).

The project is being implemented following an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao.

DENR-Davao Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada said the 18 WPPs inked an agreement with the DENR for the project to be implemented in the upland areas of Barangays Sta. Ana, and El Salvador in New Corella, and in Barangay Mamacao in Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

Based on the project's work and financial plan prepared by the WPPs and concerned people’s organizations (Pos), with technical guidance from the DENR’s provincial and community offices, at least P20,000 per hectare has been set aside for the seedling production, plantation establishment, maintenance, and protection for the first two years.

"Building partnership with other sectors such as the wood processing plants is one strategy that the DENR has adopted to meet the goal of the National Greening Program to plant 1.5 million hectares until 2016 but also to engage local communities in the maintenance of the new plantations," Fragada said in a statement.

She said the commercial planting will be undertaken by the WPPs, in partnership with three POs under DENR’s Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) program.

Under the agreement, the WPPs will provide financial assistance to the establishment of nursery, production of seedlings and the establishment of commercial tree plantations within the areas of people’s organization-beneficiaries.

These plants will also participate in the preparation of work and financial plans and to purchase timber yield from the established plantations to sustain their milling operation in accordance with the prevailing market price.

Meanwhile, the POs will be responsible for putting up the nursery and in raising the seedlings, site preparation, and establishing the tree plantations following the prescribed planting design and specification.

They will also apply appropriate silvicultural practices or the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values, in coordination with the DENR, to ensure maximum production and good quality timber yield.

Fragada said after the two years of establishing the new plantations, the maintenance and protection of the new plantations will now be solely undertaken by the POs.

The DENR, on the other hand, will spearhead the survey, mapping and planning of the identified sites and shall lead the identification of appropriate areas for commercial tree plantation establishment inside CBFM areas.

It shall also provide the POs with technical support, guidance on nursery establishment and seedling production, among others.

The partnership was forged in pursuit of the goals of the National Greening Program to not only enhance the country’s forest cover but also to provide alternative livelihood for the people in the uplands, the regional director said. (ANC)