BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya—An 83-hectare forest development and rehabilitation project spearheaded by the national government and a London-based mining firm is expected to create livelihood opportunities for people’s organizations (POs) and the community in this province.
On June 1, 2022, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 and the FCF Minerals Corporation at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) here for the implementation of the project.
Under the MOA, DENR Region 2 executive director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the rehabilitation of the 83-hectare forest development project includes graduated National Greening Program sites in the province under the jurisdiction of the provincial ENR office (PENRO) in the province.
In time with the environment month kick-off, the MOA signing between DENR Region 2 executive director Gwendolyn Bambalan and FCF general manager for operations Lorney Harvey was witnessed by other DENR and FCF Minerals officials.
“This endeavor will create livelihood opportunities for POs which will be engaged in the rehabilitation of the areas,” Bambalan said adding that the MOA signing shows strengthened commitment between the parties to bring environment, economic and social development in the area.
For the mining company, Lorney Harvey, FCF general manager for operations, said they will take charge of the development of the forest project which will eventually benefit the members of POs and residents.
Harvey also expressed thanks to the DENR for the continued partnership in environmental protection and conservation.
According to the DENR, the agreement will facilitate and accelerate the replacement of affected trees to be cut during the mining operations.
“This is in compliance with the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement or FTAA and the tree cutting permit awarded to the company,” the DENR said.
Harvey said FCF Minerals Corporation will allocate funds amounting to P2.79 million for the three-year project starting in 2022 for the establishment of plantations with an 85 percent survival rate.
Also present during the MOA signing were DENR assistant Region 2 executive director for management services Ismael Manaligod, PENR officer Giovannie Magat, Officer in Charge, CENR officers Bernardino Aganon and Lensy Bunuen of Dupax and Aritao, respectively, PENR sub-office in-charge Wilfredo Dacuycuy, and other DENR and FCF Minerals officials.