CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office here has partnered with the Star 8 Green Technology Corporation (GTC) to boost the development and protection of established plantations in Bataan under the National Greening Program (NGP).
Paquito Moreno, Jr., executive director of the DENR in Central Luzon, on Monday said Star 8 GTC will adopt an estimated 350 hectares of NGP-established plantations inside the multiple-use zone of the Bataan Natural Park in Morong town under the “New Tomorrow” program to strengthen its protection and enhance the development of agroforestry.
“Admittedly, the task of ensuring the survival of planted trees needs more manpower and resources that the DENR cannot provide and despite NGP’s significant gains, it also has its shortcomings that need utmost attention,” Moreno said in official social media post.
He cited Star 8 GTC for its commitment to intensify protection and development of agroforestry through the adoption of the established NGP plantations.
“The major challenge besetting the forestry sector is how to provide sustainable financing for sustainable forest management to mobilize green investment from international, national, and regional sources especially those coming from the private sector,” Moreno said.
He said the “New Tomorrow” program is indeed suitable as it involves all stakeholders to proactively integrate forestry programs into the wider context of development and instead of viewing forestry as a corporate sector.
“We see more jobs being provided to local communities including our indigenous people, especially at a time like this, when the economy is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic,” he said.
Engineer Ronald Laurel, managing director of Star 8 GTC, said they will plant one million coconuts, cashew nut, and coffee within the 350-hectare adopted NGP plantation.
Laurel said the fruit crops will be inter-cropped with already growing forest trees and seedlings in the area to augment forest cover and at the same time, provide livelihood opportunities to local communities in the area coming from the harvest in the planted crops.
NGP, which was launched in 2011, aims to reforest 1.5 million hectares of denuded forestlands and watersheds in the country, reduce poverty, provide food security, conserve biodiversity and address global warming and climate change.
The program was expanded until 2028 under Executive Order No. 193 to reforest the remaining degraded forestlands and remains one of the banner programs of the government.
In Central Luzon, the DENR-Region 3 has established more than 122,000 hectares of forest plantation since 2011.
Star 8 GTC is an innovative technology company engaged in introducing new green technology products and applications and a global leader in solar lights and electric vehicles. (PNA)
