The Department of Environment and Natural Resources CALABARZON and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau entered into an agreement with the Rotary Club-Infanta Chapter for a Tree Nurturing project within a 32-hectare indigenous plantation in Brgy. Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon. 

Rotary Club Infanta President Nestor Coralde highlighted that the Infanta Community will benefit most from the project. “Gusto ko lamang i-emphasize na ang makikinabang dito ay ang community itself. Dahil sila mismo ang naandito, sila ang aming uupahan para magmonitor at magmaintain ng ating mga itinanim”, Coralde stressed. 

The Memorandum of Agreement spans for 5 years of protection and maintenance of the site and the Rotary shall formulate a management plan for the adopted site. Quezon PENR Officer Engr. Cyril Coliflores said "Malaking bagay po ang limang taon na ating magagawa para mas maayos pa natin at maimprove ang ating environment within the 32-ha plantation and we will do it para sa kalikasan at para sa ating bayan.” 

Moreover, Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria shared the importance of a collaborative effort of the National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, private sector, and communities for long-term forest protection. He said “Ito pong site ay graduated NGP. Ibig sabihin ay tapos na po ang intervention ng pamahalaan in terms of budget allocation and maintenance and protection. Kaya hinihikayat po natin ang mga pribadong sektor at organisasyon na mag-adopt upang patuloy itong mapangalagaan. Kinakailangan ang ibayong science-based nurturing at doon po pumapasok ang tanggapan ng ERDB. Hindi lang simpleng itatanim at didiligan. May iba pa pong factor.”

Tamoria also emphasized the sustainability of the project. “Alam po natin na ang pangangalaga ng ating kalikasan lalong lalo na ng ating kagubatan ay hindi dapat natitigil sa tatlong taon. Pagdating sa kalikasan, dapat walang timeline dahil walang hanggan din ang benepisyong ating makakamtan mula sa ating itinanim. Hindi po ito para lamang makapagcomply kundi para sa pangmatagalang benepisyong maibibigay sa mga susunod na henerasyon na may aabutang malinis na tubig, mayabong na kagubatan, at masiglang kapaligiran,” he said. 

ERDB Director Henry Adornado reiterated that one of the focuses of Rotary Club-Infanta is the protection of the environment. He also added that the pilot project aims to involve the private and the public sector in the rehabilitation of the environment and at the same provide livelihood opportunities to local communities. “This is a task not only to the RCI but also to ERDB as the provider. Ang ERDB ay may developed protocols and technologies that can be utilized here,” Adornado said. 

Prior the activity, the ERDB has conducted rapid site assessment to identify the type of vegetation and native species in the area. 

After the signing of MOA, a ceremonial tree planting was held. A total of 200 seedlings of malaikmo, batino, igang, and malaruhat were planted within the identified NGP site. 

The activity was graced by Real CENR Officer Oliver Olivo, Quezon PENR Officer Cyril Coliflores, DENR CALABARZON Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Alfredo Palencia, DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau Director Henry Adornado, Rotary Club-Infanta President Nestor E. Coralde, representatives from the Infanta MENRO, Military and the Philippine National Police.

The 32-ha plantation is within the Presidential Proclamation 1636 – a protected area in Quezon. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 22 November 2021