ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 18 (PIA)-- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region-IX
is stepping-up its efforts in the implementation of the National Greening
Program (NGP) of President Benigno S. Aquino III with the promotion of quality
indigenous fruit tree seedlings.
Directly
supervised by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), the preparation
for the production of good native fruit tree seedlings through clonal farming
is now in its final stage.
According
to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, “this increase in the ERDB’s base target
is in keeping with the department’s move to shift from the use of exotic
species to indigenous or native species.”
DENR-IX
said the region was already headway in the implementation of NGP with a total
of 4,804 hectares of land planted to 2,402,000 forest and fruit trees in 2011.
In
2012, the area covered increased to 6,228.90 hectares with 3,443,294 seedlings
planted. This year’s target is more than tripled at 20,996 hectares to be
planted with 11,698,500 seedlings.
For
this year, 50,000 of these requirements can already be sourced from the clonal
farm in time of the next planting season.
Once this clonal farm becomes fully operational, it will be able to supply
80,000 quality seedlings per annum for the program.
DENR IX
Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable has also expressed
optimism that this additional source of quality seedlings can boost NGP efforts
in the region.
“The
clamor for supplies of quality seedlings is high considering that we have
targets to meet to attain the national goal of planting 1.5 billion trees in 1.5
million hectares of forestlands nationwide in a span of 6 years, thus, I
welcome the laudable efforts of the Forestry Management Sector (FMS) and the
support of the ERDB to help in augmenting the supply of quality seedlings for
the planters,” RED Adorable said.
The
establishment of this Regional Clonal Nursery and Ecological Research and
Training Center (RCNERTC) by DENR IX is a notable accomplishment to answer the
need for quality seedlings in order to attain the vision of NGP.
RCNERTC
was established sometime in September 2011 by virtue of DENR-IX Regional
Administrative Order No. 001, Series of 2011, setting aside more or less 12.3
hectares within Baclay-Pulacan Reforestation Project for this purpose. The facility, which is located at the municipality
of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, serves as the regional center for the
production, storage and disposition of quality planting materials and
indigenous and premium forest trees and economically important non-timber
forest species.
It also
aims to provide avenues for trainings, conferences and symposia of the DENR and
its clients. Likewise, it is a model
site for the conduct of verification and documentation of the production of
various seedling species.
The said
site is very accessible as it is only about 300 meters from the national
highway. It has abundant water supply,
good drainage, moderately rolling terrain, and ample areas for expansion. It is
also equipped with the Rooting Chambers, Recovery Sheds, Potting Sheds,
Laboratory and Hardening Beds.
Regional
Technical Director Gil Ona, on the other hand, said more emphasis has been
placed in the production of quality indigenous species which are deemed harder
to propagate in ordinary methods.
The
seeds, wildlings and seedlings propagated in RCNERTC came from “identified plus”
or mother trees within the area to purposely come up with a good source of
quality seedlings and to ensure the preservation of the natural flora of the
locality.
“After
all, NGP is not only intended for climate change mitigation but also for
biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and food security,” Ona stressed.
Meanwhile,
the Regional Forest Tree Seed Committee (RFTSC) which was created by virtue of
DAO-2010-11 and chaired by RTD Ona, is working to ensure that there will be
sufficient supply of quality planting stocks for the region as required.
This committee
is now in the process of accrediting People’s Organizations who are owners of
seedling nurseries. The production of these accredited nurseries will help
augment the supply of seedling requirements of the region. However, before getting accredited, it will have
to pass through a validation process so that the seedlings for planting possess
the highest possible qualities.
Moreover,
to enhance the region’s implementation of this program, the committee is doing
back-to-back efforts with the roll-out implementation program on Sustainable
Environment and Livelihood for DSWD’s disadvantaged clients. Beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer
under the 4Ps are encouraged to participate in the NGP by establishing backyard
nurseries and planting these in the designated areas. These small scale suppliers are encouraged to
propagate fruit trees, which command higher prices and give them better income.
Complementing
the efforts of the RCNERTC is the Technology Transfer Division (TTD), which is
now fast tracking the transfer of this state-of-the-art and the other perfected
Environmental and Natural Resources technologies to interested entities.
To
carry out this task, the division is currently doing infotech campaign using
the tri-media and synchronizes its conduct of information drives during
significant events and activities of the local government units (LGUs) and
other organizations in the area, aimed at attracting recipients for possible
technology transfer and investments on said technologies.
Replication
of the clonal farm by private entities would further bolster the supply of
quality seedlings for the region to meet its target, DENR9 said.
Interested
applicants are enjoined to contact DENR9 office anytime for more information
about this matter.
Also,
for a much deeper appreciation of the overall impact of the project, RCNERTC
will soon be showcased to the general public as a demonstration area.
“The
aim here is to let the people understand that trees help not only to beautify,
but clean the atmosphere and thwart global warming,” explained DENR9 officials.
