Forest and mangrove management project launching today
DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Horacio C. Ramos will lead the launching of the Community-Based Forest and Mangrove Management Project (CBFMMP) – KfW in Panay and Negros Islands, along with KfW representation and local expert Ms. Olga- Caday Asaña with GTZ–EnD Program Director and Principal Advisor Dr. Walter Salzer and Land Bank of the Philippines President Gilda E. Pico at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City on March 11, 2010.
Among the highlights of the activity is the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the Program by the DENR, LBP and the participating Local Government Units (LGUs) and the unveiling of the project sign board. There are seven (7) LGUs which initially enrolled in the Project to include the municipalities of Ilog, Negros Occidental; Libacao; Aklan; Sebaste, Antique and Carles in Iloilo and Bayawan, Sta Catalina and La Libertad in Negros Oriental..
These seven (7) LGUs are the first batch of LGUs with another 8 more LGUs lined up for the 2nd batch as project beneficiaries, funded by the German Bank-KfW and the Government of the Philippines (GOP) involving two components, the loan and the grant. Local Government Unit has to prepare a Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) as a mandatory requirement in availing the grant component handled by the DENR specifically for Capacity Building, reforestation activities and project management. On the other hand, the Land Bank of the Philippines handles the loan component of the project financing infrastructure and livelihood activities.
Also expected during the activity are senior officials of the DENR from Central, Regional down to the field offices of Regions VI and VII. Dr. Jurgen Schade, Technical Adviser Team Leader; Antique Governor and Regional Development Council Chairperson Salvacion Z. Perez; NEDA VI Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal; DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta and the Local Government Chief Executives from the different provinces of Panay and Negros Island.
DENR – CBFMMP – KfW is among the priority programs of the administration of Pres. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo in alleviating poverty in the countryside by involving communities. This is also in line with the greening program of the Department to ensure sustainable development of the country’s natural resources and in combating climate change and global warming.
DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Julian D. Amador believed that this activity is a strong manifestation of the continuing partnership of the DENR with the funding institution (Federal Government of Germany -KfW) and the Local Government Units in implementing ENR projects both in the uplands and coastal areas.
