The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has recently turned over to concerned local government units in Nueva Vizcaya agroforestry support facilities worth P58.3 million.
During separate ceremonies, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan led the turnover and the signing of the tripartite memorandum of agreement for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure support facilities.
These include the Buyasyas Irrigation Pipeline System in Brgy. Buyasyas, Kayapa town; and the Nantawakan Pathway in Barangay Nantawakan, Kasibu.
In Dupax del Sur, the local government and the people’s organizations (POs) accepted the responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of the Abuang Hanging Bridge in Brgy. Banila and the Canabay Access Road with Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert Structure in Barangay Canabay.
Constructed under the Forestland Management Project (FMP), the agroforestry support facilities partly aims to boost the protection and maintenance of about 3,000 hectares of reforestation and agroforestry plantations developed by the people’s organizations in the municipalities of Dupax del Sur, Kasibu and Kayapa.
A 10-year watershed rehabilitation project implemented by the DENR and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under a loan agreement, the FMP provides infrastructure support facilities to upland dwellers depending on what the community needs the most.
“While we improve the forest condition of the province, we also uplift the life of the upland communities as their farm products will be easily transported to the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal or to the nearest market,” Bambalan said.
The DENR Region 2’s top official added that the facilities will provide easy access to basic necessities and social services to at least 13,000 residents.
Meanwhile, she appealed for the support of the village chiefs in forest protection and in the restoration of the Cagayan River.
Aside from the four newly turned over projects, DENR provincial chief Edgar Martin reported that 26 more agroforestry support facilities are expected be completed until next year.
“These projects will also support our plantation areas established under our National Greening Program,” Martin said.
During the turnover ceremonies, the provincial and municipal local governments thanked the DENR and the JICA and vowed to support the watershed rehabilitation project.