Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (July 1) — Villager Valentin Descalzo, 40 of barangay Buenavista in this town was one of the upland settlers who were engaged in slash and burn system of farming or “Kaingin” to support their family in 1970s.

Descalzo, along with hundreds of upland settlers in this province have continuously brought harm and destruction on the natural-growth forests due to indiscriminate system of farming, charcoal making and tree cutting.

“But that was before. We have now transformed into responsible forest settlers,” Descalzo claimed.

Descalzo, now the president of the Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong and Kakilingan Upland Farmers, Inc. (FVHKKUFI) prides itself for the gradual rehabilitation of their community from their once-harsh and unfriendly way of living with the environment.

Their efforts paid off as co-managers of the forest when the y were awarded as the Best Sustainable Development Project in the province and in the whole of Cagayan Valley region in 2003.

FVHKKUFI track record came into national recognition after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officially endorsed their organization to implement a 177-hectare Research ? based Plantation Establishment Methods project under the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) in 1995 and eventually completed in 1997.

With their sterling performance, FVHKKUFI received a Community-Based Forest Management agreement strategy from the DENR which involves the sustainable development of at least 3,000 hectares of forestland.

“Because of our commitment, dedication and cooperation as a peoples organization, we have received development projects such as development of our road and construction of an elementary school,” Descalzo added.

He said the continuing information communication and education activities conducted by the DENR has reoriented their destructive attitudes into constructive practices.

Since their management, FVHKKUFI have consistently protected the remaining 1,500 residual dipterocarp forest, rehabilitated the denuded 1,500 hectares of forest land through the progressive plantation within the 100 hectares, regenerated natural forest cover for 100 hectares and produced agro-forestry farms for 1,300 hectares.

Descalzo said that aside from their forest-based protection and rehabilitation efforts, they now manage community-based enterprises such as tiger grass plantation, carabao for hire business and cattle fattening.

“Right now, we are in merging our linkages with various agencies of the government for partnership projects that can enhance our projects in our communities,” he said.

Other successful CBFM projects

In Dupax del Sur town, members of the Banila Community-Based Cooperative (BCBC) sold their precious possession of a carabao to jumpstart their business venture after the DENR awarded them a Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) covering more than 2,000 hectares in 1995.

The 94-member BCBC successfully implemented the reforestation of at least 221 hectares with GMelina trees funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 1995 to 2000; 80 hectares with GMelina plantation funded by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP); 7 hectares of GMelina and Mahogany with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2002 to 2003 and another 31 hectares under the government?s Upland Development Program (UDP).

BCBC also made developments on agro-forestry such as the 10 hectare fruit-bearing tree plantation through the CARP in 2003; 7 hectares under convergence agreement from 2005 to 2006, 21 hectares under the UDP in 2009, 8 hectares under the CARP in 2009 and the establishment of livelihood projects such as their Anthurium Cutflower industry which was funded by the JICA in 2003, hog dispersal project funded by the CARP and lending and trading of farm inputs through their cooperative.

“In fact,I was able to send two of my six children to school and was able to finish their studies through the services of our cooperative,” said Carmelita Catasos, 62, BCBC treasurer.

Ibaloi Ricardo Pelnac, 62, chair of the BCBC said they have refrained from burning and indiscriminate cutting of trees since their CBFMA was awarded by the DENR.

“BCBC members and no-members have learned many things… that our environment can give us livelihood if protected and maintained properly,” he said.

In the upland barangay of Nantawakan in Kasibu town, the 63-member Mutia Upland Farmers Association (MUFA) significantly carried out rehabilitation and reforestation activities within the 751 hectare mountains.

Since 2005, MUFA through their CBFM has implemented the establishment of a 25-hectare GMelina plantation, 25 hectare agro-forestry funded by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation in 2007, vegetable production, 4 hectare agro-forestry, reforestation of 111 hectare with indigenous species of trees and ordinary fruit bearing trees funded by CARP.

“We are now earning from this project, with our cooperation as members, we hope to transfer this to our children so that they can also benefit from this,” said Michael Matias, MUFA chairman.

In Aritao town, in barangay Calitlitan, the Tribal Cooperative for Rural Development (TRICORD), has embarked on a tree farm lease contract to undertake agroforestry and tree planting on a 379 hectare mountain, now showing natural forest regeneration.

Produced from the agroforestry plantation are Durian and Marang fruits which are now being sold along the national highway, bringing income for TRICORD.

Julio Tacay, 75, TRICORD caretaker said the agro-forestry development has returned sufficient water in the mountains.

According to Rev. Danilo Bugtong, the area showcases the success of agroforestry projects in Nueva Vizcaya.

“There is a need to internalize the importance of tree planting among ourselves. Specially now that forest fire is the major problem that is threatening our efforts. So we need to educate the communities more,” Bugtong. (PIA NVizcaya)

Legazpi City (29 June) — A cadastral survey project is now ongoing in Pasacao,Camarines Sur, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here said.

At the launching program Noble appealed for support and asked all the barangay chairmen, and officials present to inform their respective constituents about the importance of the cadastral project.

“We need the support and cooperation of all, especially the landowners and claimants so that the project can be completed successfully,” Noble said.

Cadastral survey refers to survey made to determine the metes and bounds of all parcels within an entire municipality or city for land registration and other purposes. (DENR V/PIA)

Engr. Gilbert Gonzales, DENR-EMB Bicol regional director, recalled that Anayan (Camarines Sur), Malaguit (Camarines Norte) and Panique (Masbate) rivers were earlier reported as biologically dead by media outlets here that prompted uncalled alarm among the residents directly gleaning resources from the rivers.

Gonzales averred the bureau has been conducting surveillance, sampling and monitoring of the rivers to verify their status and environmental quality, consequently found out that these rivers remain in fact being utilized by communities along them.

Paracale and Malaguit rivers are classified as Class C waters while Anayan river is listed in Class D waters as stated in the 2009 annual assessment report pursuant to DAO 34 series of 1990.

“This means that these Class C inland waters could be utilized as fishery water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources, recreational water (boating etc.) and industrial water supply for manufacturing processes after treatment, meanwhile Class D waters could be utilized for irrigation, agriculture, livestock watering and industrial water supply for cooling, etc,” Gonzales explained.

Though the average dissolve oxygen (DO) level for Anayan River was 6.3 mg/L, Malaguit River – 7.4 mg/L and Panique River – 7.4 mg/L concentration level respectively, however, pH (basicity and acidity of water), temperature (T) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were also considered in the classification and assessment. Results concluded that it passed minimum requirement.

The term biologically dead which likely mean lifeless (anaerobic environment) or zero dissolved oxygen is not applicable in these rivers since as per assessment by the EMB, there are various aquatic livelihood undertakings such as fish cages, aquaculture and crab fattening that are predominant in the area.

Moreover, the bureau assured the public that a more intensive and pro-active program of action is underway to maintain and hopefully elevate these rivers’ environmental quality. (EMB V/PIA)

Tuguegarao City (29 March) — The Cagayan Valley Environment and Natural Resources office has launched the 10 Million Movement (10 MM) in the region which seeks to gather 10 million individual commitments to do something for Mother Earth.

In an interview with Regional Executive Director Benjamin Tumaliuan, he said the 10 MM is the highlight of the Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2010 with the theme, “Hamon ng Panahon: Climate Change, 10 Milyong Solusyon (Kilos na! Ngayon Na!)

In Region 2, the DENR has envisioned to make a significant contribution to the 10 MM by targeting .5 million signatures of environmental partners from all walks of life.

A sign-up sheet will be sent to government, non-government and in the private sectors all over the region to gather.5 million commitments for the environment.

Tumaliuan stressed that the individuals who will affix their signatures in the sign-up sheet should commit to at least one of the following pro-environment activities: pollution/monitoring; clean-up and rehabilitation; greening; advocacy and other ways of caring for the Earth.

“Climate change is the most serious problems that we are facing today and everyone has a role to play to contribute to its solution”, Tumaliuan added.

Everyone is encouraged to effect behavioral changes such as reducing use of energy; managing wastes properly by reducing, recycling and reusing; promoting and patronizing collective and non- pollutive modes of transport; planting indigenous trees, shrubs, flowering plants; advocating to make environment a top priority agenda of the country and electing leaders who are aware that “Environmental Security is the highest form of national security.

The DENR has also lined up various activities in the five provinces of Region 2 such as advocacy, pollution control, clean-up drive and tree planting.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared April 22 as the “Philippine’s Earth Day” through Presidential Proclamation Nos. 553 and 1276 making Earth Day a permanent environment holiday in the country. (PIA 2)

Lamut, Ifugao (19 December) — In support to the national government’s call on all sectors to plant trees and maintain the environment, 700 students of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) participated in a tree planting held here recently.

Frank Dulawan, coordinator of the Alalay at Gabay na Pamayanan (AAGAPAY) said a total of 7,000 assorted seedlings were planted by the students at barangays Payawan and Mabato-bato. The said seedlings were acquired from the Community environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

The activity was also participated by cadets from 205th ARESCOM based here under the leadership of Capt. Ambrosio Dulawan, a team from the 78rh Infantry Battalion and some employees of the municipal government led by Vice Mayor Kenneth Codamon and Jun Inhumang of the Provincial Government.

Johny Martin, Chairman of the Ifugao Shooters Cooperative also briefed the students on the advantages of protecting and maintaining the environment such as tree planting.

AAGAPAY is a broad alliance of organization combining efforts of individual members, national government agencies, NGOs, cooperatives, business sector, political groups and civil society bounded together by a shared vision of a common understanding to commit itself in services to the country and people.

Dulawan said that AAGAPAY is willing to assist any organization that is bound to be elevated as a cooperative and has continuous activities with government agencies. “The AAGAPAY has started to organize associations in some parts of Lamut and Kiangan and will continue to help build more organizations in the province,” Dulawan said.

Organizations that are actively participating in the activities of the AAGAPAY are the HAPROC Cooperative in Barangays Julongan and Maggok in Kiangan and Hungduan, whose members have planted 100,000 coffee seedlings and continue maintaining and protecting them, Dulawan said. (PIA-Ifugao)

For the Model Barangay, Barangay San Jose of Baggao Cagayan won in the urban category while Barangay. Balingit of Pamplona, Cagayan won in the rural category.

The Municipality of Lallo, Cagayan was adjudged as this year’s Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the province in recognition of their efforts in managing their solid wastes that makes their municipality the cleanest.

Lallo was also the sole representative of the province in the recently concluded National Zero Basura Olympics Philippine Garbology Marathon 2008, a search for municipalities who have seriously implemented the Ecological Solid Waste Management or the RA 9003.

For the schools, Ballesteros National High School won in the Best School Implementer on Solid Waste Management, High School Category, followed by Calaoagan Dackel National High School, and for the 3rd place, is a tie between Gammad National High School, Iguig, Cagayan and Callao National High School, Lasam, Cagayan.

For the Technical, Vocational and Agricultural School Category, the Claveria School of Arts and Trades bested other schools, followed by Allacapan Vocational High School as the 2nd place and in the 3rd place, a tie between Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School in Tuao and Abulug National Rural School.

For the Elementary Category, Cabiraoan Elementary School bested other contenders. The school was also given the Hall of Fame Award for maintaining their award for three (3) consecutive years. The Matucay Elementary School garnered 2nd place, Mungo Elementary School- 3rd place, Catayauan Elementary School-4th place and Sta Cruz Elementary School-5th place.

For the Sustainable Development Project, the Integrated San Lorenzo Enterprises of Barangay. San Lorenzo, Lal-lo Cagayan won in the lowland category while the Cagayan Valley Resources Developers and Protectors Federation of Baggao, Cagayan won in the upland category.

Various schools were also given citations in recognition for besting in different areas of concerns that has something to do with the cleanliness and orderliness of their schools.

Atty. Joseph Pauig, Chief of Staff of the Province, who represented Governor Alvaro Antonio, mentioned that one of the Governor’s 10 point agenda is the protection and preservation of the environment, that’s why he extends his sincerest gratitude to the awardees for helping the government in implementing the solid waste management and in keeping their community clean and green.

The PCSD members headed by Forester Robert Adap of PNREO rejoiced in the successful conduct of this year’s awarding ceremony. He further acknowledged the untiring support and commitment of the member representatives from different agencies such as, DENR, DOLE, DepEd, CSU, PIA, DILG, Provincial Government of Cagayan, Process Luzon, EDASI, NCIP and PENRO. (Oliver B./PIA 2)

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (December 2) — The provincial government here will be embarking on a massive tree planting project designed to reforest denuded areas of this province which is considered as a critical watershed for Cagayan Valley.

Manuel Tabora, provincial administrator said a proposed project is already underway to reforest Nueva Vizcaya’s mountains.

“It is already within the sangguniang panlalawigan and we hope that this will be acted soon so that we can start with this project,” he said during the last quarter meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPC) at the Ammungan hall here.

Tabora said the massive reforestation project involves the planting of some 50,000 hectares where its sustainability will be hinged on the non-government organizations and local government units of the 15 municipalities here.

He said the project revolves on the following factors: planting, protection of the environment, cooperation of LGUs and memorandum of agreement with NGOs.

The tree planting project was conceived, he said due to the continuing denudation of the province’s forest cover which serves as a vital watershed for the Cagayan Valley region and neighboring provinces in Central Luzon.

Nueva Vizcaya’s forest cover started to decrease since the 1960s due to the influx of upland dwellers, illegal logging and the practice of slash and burn system of farming specially in the upland areas. (PIA NVizcaya)

DENR-EMB, through its Environmental Education and Information Section (EEIS), showcased the bureau’s programs and initiatives on awareness on climate change and global warming phenomenon, solid waste management and other timely environmental issues that would shape the students knowledge and views on ecosystem conservation.

The two-day activity, held November 12-13, was participated in by representatives from local government units, government agencies, students and faculty members of the different academic institutions in Albay province.

Dr. Eva S. Ocfemia, DENR-EMB Bicol Pollution Control Division chief, has consistently acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders to utilize information education strategy to the academe, especially to the young students, in stressing the responsibility of every individual in caring for the environment. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)

Bontoc, Mt. Province (28 November) — The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) issued Tree Planting Certificates to seven individual tree planters from barangay Bila in Bauko municipality for planting a number of trees and committing to continue planting more trees and protecting the environment.

The seven who were awarded during the launching of the 2010 Lang-ay last month were Luis Homrebueno, Jr., Antonio Apil, Lyndon Colbongan, Rodrigo Payacda, Valentine Cameyeng, Calixto Gamlosen, and Purita Cominga.

As stated in the certificate, each awardee commits to continue planting more trees and join with his neighboring awardees to protect the trees they have planted and other existing vegetation including their surroundings from forest fires and poachers as well as enhance the ecological balanced of their environment.

The Tree Planting Certificate was formulated by the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (PAENRO) Board as an incentive to all tree planters and rightful owners of the land planted under the 1 Million Tree Planting Program of the province. This was institutionalized through Provincial Ordinance No. 74 passed by Mt. Province Sangguniang Panlalawigan on July 31, 2006.

Benefits of the Tree Planting Certificate include access in acquiring permit to cut or harvest timber as required by law, free forest charges per memorandum of agreement signed by all sectors of local government units, government agencies and non-government on September 23, 2004, provided the trees to be cut were planted in 2004 and onwards under the 1 Million Tree Planting Program of the province; and income from forest products.

To avail of the Tree Planting Certificate, tree planters should submit Tree Registration Certificate including all attachment like registration of trees planted from 2004 and onwards, land tenure documents or any proof that they own the plantation, Sustainable Traditional and Indigenous Forest Resources Management System and Practices, Free and Prior Informed Consent, and Evaluation of Trees Planted.

It can be recalled that the province under its 1 Million Tree Planting program achieved its target of planting one million trees in three years in just one and a half years. As of September 2008, more than two million forest and fruit tree seedlings have already been planted in various areas in the province.

Planting trees is one of the easiest way in which the public can help mitigate the effects of global warming and climate change. (PIA Mt. Province)

La Trinidad, Benguet (21 November) — The provincial government is apprehensive of the deteriorating state of forest cover which it fear might be gone sooner than projected.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, in his report during the Regional Development Council meeting held recently, said denudation of forestland is at the rate of 8,400 hectares per year. Currently, the province has a total of 172,751 hectares of forestland.

Fongwan lamented that people cut trees as if they are harvesting cabbages. This is particularly observed in the tri-boundaries of the Benguet, Ifugao and Mt. Province. He presented this to members of the RDC as an urgent issue that need to be addressed.

The RDC has earlier passed a resolution creating a Quick Response Team (QRT) purposely to contain and hasten the resolution of the escalating problem on forest and watershed destruction in the region.

National Commission on Indigenous People – CAR Regional Director requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to submit a report to the RDC on status report of QRT such as the number of cases filed and the resolution of cases.

Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr suggested the best approach in dealing with the mounting problem of deforestation is to talk to the community such that they become stewards of the area.

Talking through experience, Baguilat cited efforts the Social Action and Development Commission (SADC), a non-government organization in Ifugao, which providing alternative source of livelihood to the community which minimized the utilization of forest products. The community themselves protect the mossy forest.

“We cannot just say stop cutting trees as the people also need resources,” Baguilat said.

He added the denudation of forest is affecting geological balance which greatly contributed to the calamities being experienced today. “It is not only the DENR to blame but all of us,” he pointed out.

Batay-an, on the other hand, said that the government should stop issuing tax declaration to the forested areas.

As provided for in the local government code, the management of community forests is now a devolved function of local government units which called for the creation of the Environment and Natural Resources Office.

In strengthening the provision of the code and to formally turn-over the management and supervision of community forest, Fongwan believes that a Memorandum of Agreement should be forged between the LGU and the DENR.

RDC Acting Chair and National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Juan Ngalob said that devolution of such function requires further study. (PIA-Benguet)