CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Contractors of flood-control projects funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are now required to plant trees.

This was mandated through Department Order (DO) No. 238, series of 2022 signed by DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan recently.

Contractors are tasked to plant 1,000 seedlings for every flood-control project with at least P5 million contract amount, and additional 1,000 for every added P5 million in the contract, or fraction thereafter.

The program is an addition to the mandatory Tree Replacement Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“This policy is pursuant to an instruction from President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos to address deforestation nationwide,” said Bonoan.

Bonoan said expenses for the planting activity will be included by concerned DPWH implementing offices in the preparation of Program of Works of every flood-control project.

He added that specific locations of the tree planting activities will be identified in coordination with local government units and DENR.

Tree species will also be determined in coordination with local DENR, he said.

“Trees planted shall then be turned-over to the concerned LGUs for their protection, maintenance, and conservation,” Bonoan said.