DENR, industries forge pact for green program

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/07/09/denr-industries-forge-pact-green-program-417956
• Thursday, July 9, 2015

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has forged an understanding with various industries in Central Luzon for the propagation of trees in line with the National Greening Program (NGP).

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), industries commit in the protection and maintenance of plantations, production of seedlings as determined by the DENR, and other activities required to sustain the growth and survival of the trees planted.

The agency formulated the MOU in order to attain the objectives of the NGP beyond 2016.

The DENR, through its provincial offices, shall identify the areas to be adopted by the private sector and industry partners.

DENR Central Luzon Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr. said the MOU is “probably the first of its kind in the Philippines, wherein private industries adopt NGP established sites.”

The DENR will provide technical assistance to the private sector, Milla said.

He stressed the important role of forests in addressing climate change.

Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Central Luzon Director Lormelyn Claudio said the bureau is tasked to ensure that the private sector will on the government call.

Tree planning is now one of the requirements in securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), according to Claudio.

“Our task here is to monitor the progress of the implementation of the project being undertaken by our partner industries in coordination with the DENR,” she added.

DENR Undersecretary and concurrent EMB Director Jonas Leones, who was the guest of honor during the recent inauguration of the new EMB building in Central Luzon, commended the industry leaders in their initiative to protect the environment.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Danilo Uykieng; Bataan Provincial DENR Officer Raul Mamac; Bulacan Provincial DENR Officer Celia Esteban; Pampanga Provincial DENR Officer Rafael Otic; Nueva Ecija Provincial DENR Officer Leovino Ignacio; Zambales Provincial DENR Officer Laudemir Salac; and Camiling Community DENR Officer Joselito Blanco joined the MOU signing.