BY CORIE CORPUZ, DENR
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (May 19)—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has turned over to three municipal local government units in Nueva Vizcaya infrastructure facilities to improve the lives of upland dwellers in the province.
The four agroforestry support facilities worth 58.3 million pesos constructed under the Forestland Management Project (FMP) also aim to ensure the protection and maintenance of about 3,000 hectares reforestation and agroforestry plantations developed by the people’s organizations in the municipalities of Dupax del Sur, Kasibu and Kayapa.
FMP is a 10-year watershed rehabilitation project implemented by the DENR and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under a loan agreement.
On separate ceremonies, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan led the turn-over and the signing of the tripartite memorandum of agreement for the operation and maintenance of Buyasyas Irrigation Pipeline System in Brgy. Buyasyas, Kayapa town; and the Nantawakan Pathway in Barangay Nantawakan, Kasibu.
In Dupax del Sur, the local government and the people’s organizations (POs) accepted the responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of the Abuang Hanging Bridge in Brgy. Banila and the Canabay Access Road with Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert Structure in Barangay Canabay.
“While we improve the forest condition of the province, we also uplift the life of the upland communities as their farm products will be easily transported to the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal or the nearest market,” Director Bambalan said.
The DENR Region 2 top official added that the facilities will provide easy access to basic necessities and social services to at least 13,000 residents. She appealed for support of the village chiefs in forest protection and the restoration of the Cagayan River.
Aside from the four newly turned over projects, DENR provincial chief Edgar Martin reported that 26 more agroforestry support facilities are expected to be completed until next year.
“These projects will also support our plantation areas established under our National Greening Program,” Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Martin said.
During the turn-over ceremonies, the provincial and municipal local government thanked the DENR and the JICA as they expressed their full support to the watershed rehabilitation project.
The ceremonies were attended by Dupax del Sur Mayor Ruben Basconcillo Jr., Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban, barangay officials and PO members. Gov. Carlos Padilla and Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma were represented by Board Member Elma Lejao and Leonard Clemens Cadoy, and Vice Governor Jose Tomas Sr. and Jose Tomas Jr., respectively. Some DENR key officials also joined the activities.