Mining firms told to develop NGP sites
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
Two mining companies operating in the Cagayan Valley have agreed to a condition set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to develop National Greening Program (NGP) sites.
The firms have agreed to replace every tree they cut down as part of their operation with 100 native trees.
The condition is embodied under a “Tree Replacement Program” agreement entered into by FCF Minerals and OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (OGPI) with the DENR Region 2 Office in support of the government’s Expanded-NGP (E-NGP).
DENR Region 2 Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn C. Bambalan, FCF Minerals represented by Leopoldo G. Castro Jr. and OceanaGold Philippines represented by Jayson Magdaong signed the agreement as a precondition for the issuance of tree-cutting permits by the DENR recently.
Based on DENR regulations, the company is required to replace each tree affected by their operation with 100 native tree seedlings. The mining companies themselves will develop the area as part of the agreement.
To recall, Bambalan recommended for the area development scheme in support of the NGP rather than just producing, buying, and donating seedlings to yield better impact.
“We engage a people’s organization or a community to develop and maintain the plantation not only to promote partnership but also to create employment opportunities especially this time of the pandemic,” Bambalan said in a statement. “Eventually, it will be the local communities who will manage the plantation,” she added.
To cover the replacement scheme from site assessment, seedling production, plantation establishment, and 3-year maintenance and protection activities, the FCF and OGPI shall allocate funds in the amount of P6.4 million and P2.9 million, respectively.
As part of the agreement, the mining companies may transfer the full amount covering the cost of the entire duration of implementation or transfer the funds on annual budget requirement basis per approved work and financial plan.
A total of 192 hectares of plantations will be funded by the FCF and 90 hectares by the OGPI within the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
The sites which include NGP graduated areas with low survival rate and other suitable areas will be planted with timber and fruit trees.
Meanwhile, the DENR is tasked to conduct survey, mapping, and planning, and engage beneficiaries within the project sites for the actual implementation of the program activities following the family approach in NGP. The agency shall also provide technical assistance to the identified partners in seedling production, plantation establishment and protection and maintenance of the planted areas. The tree replacement program will be implemented for 3 years starting in 2021.
Source: Business Mirror