Community organizations to get 'green jobs'

In support of the government’s efforts to generate green jobs, members of the Peoples Organizations (PO) will be employed in establishing the 118 hectares reforestation project within the Tumauini Watershed Natural Park (TWNP), a Protected Area (PA) in the province of Isabela.

 

In the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) meeting held on Feb. 16, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cagayan Valley directed the CENR Office of Cabagan to fast track the processing of letters of agreement for the P3.4-M worth plantation establishment under the National Greening Program.

 

"We engage our community partners who are directly residing within the protected area and enjoin them to protect our natural resources while they are benefited from the development programs we implement," PAMB chairperson Bambalan said.

 

The reforestation initiative is part of the tree replacement program of the DENR where all stakeholders issued with tree cutting permits must produce seedlings to replace the trees to be cut.

 

As partner in resource development, the PhilNew Hydro Power Corporation (PHPC) which is a holder of Special Use Agreement for Protected Area within the TWNP, committed to fund activities for the 118 hectares reforestation project as a replacement scheme of the company.

 

The POs will be involved in nursery establishment and seedling production, tree growing, and maintenance and protection activities under the National Greening Program.

 

In the meeting, the Board discussed amended environmental compliance certificate of the Tumauini River Multi-Purpose Project of the National Irrigation Administration; PHPC project status; 2023 work and financial plan for the utilization of the 75% PA retained income; and request for lumber donation of the Department of Education and Barangay Antagan 1st in Tumauini town.

 

To facilitate the said request for lumber donation for the construction and improvement of school and community center, the regional environment chief instructed the PENR Office of Isabela to review the confiscated lumbers within the province.

 

Director Bambalan encouraged the Body to review the PA Ecotourism Management Plan and identify priority activities for implementation.

 

In order to ensure proper management and conservation of the PA, the Board agreed to hold a re-orientation among the PAMB members dubbed as "PA Summit” to include other PAs in the province; strengthen the implementation of ecological solid waste management with the 'Basura Mo, Iuwi Mo' scheme; and put up a ranger station within the PA.

 

In her closing remarks, Director Bambalan expressed gratitude to the PAMB members for their support and commitment in the development and conservation of the TWNP.

 

Also present during the meeting were representatives of the municipal and barangay local government units, non-government organizations, academe, POs and other DENR officials and staff.#