PROTECTING WATERSHEDS AND RIVERBANKS. The Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Pussian in Alcala, Cagayan is now contributing for the improvement of quality of water and other natural resources as it maintained a 50-hectare bamboo plantation in the locality.
The plantation was established in 2017 under the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Malaking tulong sa aming komunidad ang kawayan. Maliban sa maari naming pagkakitaan, nagsisilbi itong proteksiyon laban sa pagguho ng lupa lalo na kung may bagyo at kalamidad. Nabibiyayaan din kami ng saganang katubigan na siyang ginagamit namin sa araw-araw naming pamumuhay,” said punong barangay Gerardo Garma.
According to Garma, the site was previously planted with corn. “Sa tulong ng NGP, naiwasan na ang pagtatanim ng mga mais. Naging dahilan ito upang makatulong sa kalikasan at magkaroon kami ng karagdagang pangkabuhayan,” he added.
Garma is thankful with the DENR personnel for the continued technical assistance they are extending. He also acknowledged his constituents for their acceptance to the project leaving the old habit of squatting and planting corn along the forest zone.
With a bayanihan spirit imposed among the 10 beneficiaries, the four-year old plantation had grown so fast with high survival rate. They visit the area once a month and do replanting, cleaning, weeding and brushing activities. Beneficiaries who cannot make it will be fined 500 pesos of which will become their revolving fund.
Recently, the beneficiaries sold more than 200 bamboo poles during their first harvest. They also have regular harvest on other commodities intercropped like ginger and peanut which are found productive in the shaded area.
Bamboo shoots were only harvested as their food consumption since they prioritize growing of bamboos.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa pangmatagalang benepisyo ng NGP sa kalikasan. Hindi man kalakihan ang kinikita namin ngayon, naniniwala kami na darating ang araw na matutupad yung pangarap naming makapag-supply ng raw materials sa mga kumpanyang nais mag-invest ng produkto namin,” Garma concluded.#
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- Parent Category: News & Events
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- Published: 16 August 2021
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