THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and DENR-Region 4A announced partnering with various nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to boost the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the Marikina Watershed.
The partnership was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will highlight the use of bamboo as planting materials and the application of bamboo production technology and good agro-forest practices.
The signatories are officials and representatives from the Rotary International District 3830, Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association, Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc. and DENR-Calabarzon during simple ceremonies held at the DENR Central Office on February 16.
The objective of the partnership is to establish bamboo social enterprises while raising crops according to the DENR guidelines.
The program will cover 20 hectares within the Marikina Watershed that will be distributed under the DENR’s enhanced “National Greening Program,” or NGP.
The initial phase of the project will involve the establishment of the nursery which includes the raising of bamboo planting materials for a period of six to eight months, while the second phase involves the transplanting of grown bamboo planting materials within the 20-hectare land allocated for Rotary International District 3830 with the partnership of Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association.
The MOA sets the protection of the land for a total of five years.
During the ceremony, the DENR and Rotary International District 3830 also led the turnover of checks worth P1 million to the Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association for the funding of the rehabilitation project.
The project was initiated by the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council and Task Force “Tayo Ang Kalikasan” (we are the environment).
DENR-Region 4A Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria said in a statement that agency officials have recognized bamboo as primary species for the NGP. Tamoria also cited that one of the strategies is watershed management in the Upper Marikina River Basin through riverbanks stabilization to prevent soil erosion.
In 2021, a seedling nursery was established in Sitio Karugo, Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal, by the Rotary International Districts 3780 and 3830, he added.
According to Tamoria, the program “will be very instrumental in achieving the total rehabilitation” of the Marikina Watershed.