The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified 29 priority areas for development, through the agency’s Area Management Program (AMP), to boost government efforts in fighting hunger and poverty in the countryside.
Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez said the DENR aims to transform the areas into “income-generating sites” to improve the lives of the people in communities.
Lopez made known about the program during a news conference last week, where she highlighted her managerial skills in sustainable development, citing the experience of La Mesa Eco Park, which is now earning P40 million a year.
She also cited as an example the success in transforming Ugong Rock and Iwahig Firefly Watching in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, as models of AMP that is anchored on protecting the environment and conserving biological diversity.
Lopez stressed she wanted to work with mining companies in promoting AMP, as well, adding that she also wants mining companies to spend their Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) funds wisely, with the help of AMP managers working hand in hand with various stakeholders.
Lopez added she is also mulling over the amendment of the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) of the SDMP so as to expand its coverage, going beyond host communities of mining companies for greater economic impact.
Under the SDMP, mining companies are mandated to spend 1.5 percent of their total operating cost to various programs and projects identified by host communities. In amending the IRR of the SDMP, Lopez said she wants the DENR, the local government units (LGUs), and community-based organizations to work with mining companies in crafting a plan that would make livelihood sustainable even after mining companies have left an area.
In a news statement, Lopez said the AMP will provide alternative sources of livelihood that promote the preservation of the environment and natural resources, the same way the La Mesa Eco Park was transformed into an income-generating park, which continue to attract local tourists.
According to Lopez, the 29 priority areas, 13 are in Luzon, six in the Visayas and 10 in Mindanao.
The AMP areas in Luzon are Chico River and Mount Pulag in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Zambales; Laur in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; Sierra Madre in Cagayan; Sierra Madre in Nueva Ecija; Kaliwa Watershed in Marikina and Sierra Madre; Batangas Coastline and Verde Passage; Laguna Lake; Palawan; Sibuyan Island; Romblon; Occidential and Oriental Mindoro; and Sorsogon.
The priority areas in the Visayas are the provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Samar, Bohol and Cebu, and the city of Iloilo.
Saranggani, Caraga-Cantilan, South Upi, Marilog, Mt. Hamiguitan/Mati, Talaingog in Davao del Norte, Rajah Buayan, Dinagat Island, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur make up the areas in Mindanao.
According to the DENR chief, the areas will be evaluated based on available resources, as well as needs and requirements, which will become the basis in determining possible livelihood opportunities similar to those in established ecotourism zones.
Following the convergence model, the civil society, academe, business sector, concerned government agencies and the community will be brought together to help build the model development areas.
According to the DENR chief, among the possible livelihood activities to be implemented in these areas are massive tree planting, including hardwood and fruit trees; coffee processing and trading; bamboo propagation; manufacture of woodcraft from gemelina lumber and furniture from bamboo; and tiger grass farming and soft broom production.