The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CALABARZON (DENR-Region 4A) has partnered with various non-government organizations for the implementation of a new program aimed at rehabilitating Marikina Watershed through the use of bamboo planting materials.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by the said groups that will provide program partners with bamboo production technology training and good agro-forest practices to establish bamboo social enterprises while raising crops according to the DENR guidelines. The program will cover 20 hectares within the Marikina Watershed which will be distributed under the DENR’s Enhanced National Greening Program. Signatories of the MOA are Rotary International District 3830, Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association, and Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc.and DENR Calabarzon.
“Bago pa man ginawa ito ay kinilala na ng ating kalihim ang prayoridad at pagkilala sa bamboo bilang pangunahing species na pino-promote ng DENR,” DENR-Region 4A Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria said during the program launch at the DENR Central Office on February 16.
“Nabuo po ang Task Force Build Back Better at ang isa sa mga estratehiya ay ang watershed management diyan sa upper Marikina River Basin sa tulong ng riverbanks stabilization para maging stable ang riverbanks na dinadaluyan ng tubig kapag malakas ang ulan,” he said.
Tamoria noted that in 2021, a seedling nursery was established in Sitio Karugo, Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal by the Rotary International Districts 3780 and 3830.
He said the program will be very instrumental in achieving the total rehabilitation of the Marikina Watershed.
Former DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu underscored the importance of using bamboo in the construction industry and in slowing down the effects of climate change.
“Bamboo is not just an alternative to construction materials but it also helps in mitigating climate change. This is why I am pushing for the creation of mini bamboo forests in the country which will also spur a vibrant bamboo lumber industry,” said Cimatu, who recently resigned from his post as DENR Secretary due to health reasons.
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 totalling One Million and Thirty Pesos (P 1,000,030.00) to 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.
The MOA signing was led by Tamoria, Rotary International District 3830 district governor Dr. Ma. Jocelyn Genevieve L. Tan, Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc. president Edgardo C. Manda, and Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association president Edgar Mariano.
Meanwhile, the signatories for the 10-hectare planting site in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal are Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria of DENR Region 4A, Rotary International District 3780 district governor Edgardo N. Ayento, Tribal Council Association of Puray Inc. president Angelito V. Cruz, and The Bamboo Professionals Inc. president Robert A. Natividad. Rotary International District 3780 turned over checks totalling Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 500,000.00)
The event was hosted by the office of DENR Officer-in-Charge Jim O. Sampulna. ###
