DENR R2 launches forest investment program

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 launches today forest investment program to engage the private sectors, local government units (LGUs), financial institutions and other stakeholders to invest in forest industrial development.

 

In the Forest: Your Investment (FYI) Forum held at the Go Hotels in Tuguegarao City, the DENR highlighted its initiatives geared towards the creation of investment-friendly climate where potential private investors are provided with options to explore and develop diversified community projects.

 

With the theme “Exploring Forestry Investment Programs and Opportunities in the Philippines," the region offered the private companies to invest in the 900-hectare open forest area potential for investment located in the province of Cagayan: 500 hectares in Claveria, particularly in Barangays Nagsabaran, Bacsay, Cataraoan Sur, Cadcadir East, Union, and Lablabig; and 400 hectares in Sta. Praxedes located in Barangays SanMiguel, Sicul and Cadongdongan.

 

Participating investors in the FYI forum were informed of the investor-friendly policies, investment development plans for Sta. Praxedes and Claveria, and how to proceed with the establishment of roundwood plantation, agroforestry plantation and non-timber forest product, and development of ecotourism site as identified activities for the said investment.

 

Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR R2 emphasized in her message the need to upscale potential investment opportunity with the development of the Forest Investment Road Map for 2018-2028 which serves as a blueprint to promote and adopt investment-friendly policies and support mechanism.

 

“We would like to take your commitment in this forum to venture into a public-private partnership to co-manage our country's forestlands and forest resources for sustainable forest management,” Director Bambalan appealed.

 

In his message, DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Arleigh Adorable higligted the crucial role of forests in sustaining biodiversity alongside economic opportunities for sustainable development.

As pinnacle factor in climate change mitigation, forests serve as the natural support system to all life forms because of dependency to natural resources specifically for food and livelihood.

Forests also provide services such as timber production, water for agriculture and domestic use, ecotourism, energy sources, and protection against disasters such as floods. They also sequester carbon to aid in climate change impact.

Gracing the forum were Mayors Esterlina Aguinaldo of Sta. Praxedes and Lucille Angelus Yapo represented by councilor Romeo Rafol of Claveria.

Also joining the event were other officials from the LGUs, government agencies, academe, and DENR who equally supported the implementation of forest investment projects not only in Cagayan but also in the whole region.

 

“I would like to express my gratitude to our partners and stakeholders for your full support to the implementation of the department’s reforestation and greening initiatives,” the regional environment chief added as she reported that since 2011, the region was able to grow more than 86 million trees covering over 116,000 hectares of forestlands under the Department's National Greening Program.

 

"The forest investment project will also bring back verdant forest, increase productivity of the land and forest resources and economic condition of the people. With the private sector, financing institutions, non-government organizations and academic community working together with the government we are assured to hasten our country’s economic, environmental and social progress," the regional environment chief concluded.#