Riverbank stabilization set for Claveria

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Category: Regional Articles - Default

Written by cassandra

The riverbank stabilization structure in Claveria, Cagayan will be constructed before June, this year.

On Oct. 8, 2012, the Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement between the DENR and the Local Government Unit of Claveria was signed as part of the Subproject Financing Agreement. The Asian Development Bank has also issued a “no objection letter” on Feb. 19, 2013 for the subproject’s compliance with social and environmental safeguards.

Mayor Celia T. Layus said the 120-meter stabilization facility in the mouth of the Cabicungan River will minimize soil erosion, river pollution and flooding in the six directly affected coastal barangays. It will also protect the coastal and marine resources of the town.

The subproject, third in the entire country approved for implementation by the Municipal Development Office, is aimed at addressing the basic social service needs of the coastal communities and support local government’s effort to mitigate coastal pollution and degradation of resources. The project has an approved budget of P10M.

The project started on Feb. 28, this year, and will run for 122 calendar days. # (drm)

Grinning for the greening program

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Category: Regional Articles - Default

Written by cassandra

His smiles indicate positive impression on the program he is working on and his articulacy on it radiates inspiration to the implementers and other partners as well.

This is how one can best describe Mang Donato Gammad, the chair of the Kadikitan Association for Community Development (KAFCD), the people’s organization that implements the National Greening Program in one of the remote barangays in Nagtipunan, the municipal boundary of Quirino and Aurora provinces.

He proudly toured us around the five-hectare NGP site awarded to him and other members of his family in 2011. In between the visit, he made it a point to say something like a tour guide trained to entertain his guests. “Sari-sari po ang aking mga tanim dito, may mais at (iba pang) cash crops. Habang nililinis ang mga puno ng mangga at rambutan at hinihintay ang pamumunga ng mga ito, meron po kaming pangmadaliang hanapbuhay,” he enthused about intercropping.

One of the cash crops that gives Mang Donato a livelihood is squash. It was coincidental that he just harvested his squashes for the third time. He said the second time he sold his produce in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, he earned P30,0000 when squash sells at P11.50 per kilo. This strengthens his realization that NGP addresses the issue on poverty in the uplands. And just like any other parent who is much concerned about the education of his children, he says: “…alam po namin na malaki ang tulong pinansyal sapagkat ngayon malapit nang mamunga (referring to the fruit-bearing trees) at makakatulong po ito sa aming mga anak na nag-aaral. Among his six children, he is sending four to school: senior and junior high school, Grade VII and elementary.

Keen on the objectives of NGP, Mang Donato says: “Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sapagkat bagama’t ito ay nakakatulong sa pangkasalukuyang pamumuhay at henerasyon, meron po tayong pangarap na makatulong din sa iba”. This is where he emphasized the ecological functions of trees which he termed as “di nakikitang benepisyo ng mga punongkahoy” like giving off fresh air, maintaining clean water (as the project site is located along the Cagayan River) and preventing soil erosion.

Read more: Grinning for the greening program

Symposium marks World Wetlands Day

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Category: Regional Articles - Default

Written by cassandra

An environmental symposium entitled “Knowing our Wetlands” brought together 98 environment partners from the provincial government, different municipalities and academe in Isabela on February 5, 2013 at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Ilagan City.

The symposium marks the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 2’s celebration of the World Wetlands Day. This year’s theme “Wetlands and Water Management” underlines the important hydrological functions of wetlands and the dependence of their health in the quality of water that reaches them.

Regional Public Affairs Office chief Victoria Baliuag stressed in her message the critical role of Information, Education and Communication in all projects of the Department.
During the symposium, two of the banner programs of the Department were also discussed. Forestry Specialist Arnold Frogoso lectured on the National Greening Program and Lands Specialist Mylene Madduma briefed the participants about public land titling. Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Specialist Felicitas Gammad discussed what wetlands are and the wetland sites in Isabela.

Also in attendance are Information Officers of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in the province. PENRO Isabela hosted the symposium.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every 2nd day of February.# corie corpuz