The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region (DENR) 2 recently turned-over P111.8 million worth of infrastructure projects to five local government units (LGUs) in Nueva Vizcaya.

 

In separate ceremonies, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan and provincial chief Giovannie Magat handed in the completed agroforestry support facilities (ASF) to Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, local officials of Ambaguio, Kayapa, Dupax Del Sur, Dupax Del Norte and Kasibu, and people’s organizations (POs).

 

The facilities constructed under the agency’s Forestland Management Project (FMP) are the six irrigation pipeline systems in barangays Nansiakan, Kayapa and Carolotan in Dupax del Sur, Nantawakan in Kasibu, and Salingsingan in Ambaguio town; pathway in Brgy. Bit-nong, Dupax Del Norte; access road in Palabotan, Dupax Del Sur; and two bridges in Canabay, Dupax Del Sur.

 

Director Bambalan said the infrastructure projects primarily intend to provide convenient access to the more than 5,000-hectare plantations established by the DENR and people’s organizations under the FMP. These will also facilitate economic activities as the produce of the farmers will be easily transported from the farm to the market.

 

“While we support your livelihood, we hope you will not forget to conserve and develop our environment,” the regional environment chief said as she expressed her hopes that the said projects will bridge partnership among the national government agencies, local government, and the community in the protection and rehabilitation of the forestlands.

 

In her message, Congresswoman Cuaresma expressed her gratitude to the DENR for allocating funds which will improve the lives of her constituents.

 

“The communities should support the DENR in protecting the environment by not practicing kaingin farming, joining in the protection against forest fires and being stewards of the environment,” she said.

 

For their part, the village chiefs committed to take care and maintain the infrastructure projects given to them. One of the barangay captains recalled how women in his community including his wife suffered giving birth along the way due to poor road conditions.

 

Nueva Vizcaya DENR head Magat reported that the infrastructure projects are products of regular consultation with the project implementers and stakeholders. He encouraged the beneficiaries to continuously maintain their tree plantations to mitigate the impacts of climate change.#