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The Beta Sigma Fraternity inked today a partnership agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 for the adoption of reforestation sites to highlight the fraternity’s diamond year celebration.
 
The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) is part of the fraternity’s “Alay ng Kapatiran sa Inang Kalikasan,” a national tree planting and nurturing project launched in July 2012 in support of the National Greening Program (NGP). The project is simultaneously undertaken by all chapters and assemblies in the Philippines.
 
The Betans in Cagayan Valley will rehabilitate, protect and maintain the 71-hectare plantation sites located in Alcala and Aparri in Cagayan, Quirino town in Isabela, Aritao and Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya, and Diffun and Nagtipunan in Quirino province.
 
In her message during the virtual MOA signing, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan thanked the Beta Sigma for helping the government in promoting forest conservation and development.
 
“We in the DENR is really looking for partners to help us in our efforts in the greening activities. Napakaluwang po ng areas ng Region 2 and if we just rely primarily from government funds, mahirapan tayo," the regional environment chief said.
She pinned her hopes that the initiative will be sustained by the two parties.
 
Representing the national assembly, Sr. Adviser on Research and Planning and Chair, Political Affairs Col. Edgar Taccad committed to deliver their obligations as stated in the agreement.
 
“We will be doing our best in support of your advocacy and in support of the advocacy of Secretary Roy Cimatu,” he said.
Under the agreement, the Beta Sigma shall allocate funds; conduct patrol works, replanting, ring weeding and strip brushing, and establish fire breaks, among others.
 
"Upon reaching the 85% survival or above, the area will be turned over to the First Party for the issuance of appropriate tenure instrument for the sustainable management of the area,” the MOA reads.
 
For its part, the DENR shall provide technical assistance in the maintenance, rehabilitation and protection of the areas including provision of planting materials for replanting. It shall monitor the development and progress of the tree growing activity.
 
The agency shall also allocate additional area for tree planting site upon determination that the Beta Sigma Fraternity has successfully managed, maintained and protected the area.
 
The MOA was signed by Director Bambalan and the four assembly presidents, namely; Hector C. Sumabat for Cagayan, Nestor De Villa for Isabela, Wilfredo B. Dacuycuy for Nueva Vizcaya, and Cesar F. Tolenada of Quirino in the presence of Col. Taccad and DENR regional and field officials.#