DENR, Aboitiz ink MOA for Vizcaya watershed

ENVIRONMENT TRENDS

Vince Jacob Visaya

DIADI, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Aboitiz Passion for Agroforest and Reforest to Keep (A-Park) project was established last week through a partnership between the SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. (SNAP-Magat) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Cagayan Valley.
    A memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed at the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Office in Darapidap, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 2 Regional Executive Director, DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-Penro), Ongkay Abetungan Tree Farmers' Association Bufferzone Occupants Inc. (Oatfai) and SNAP-Magat. The program is called the "Luzon Watershed Project."
    The MoA expressed its support for environmental initiatives via A-Park, which is funded by Aboitiz Equity Venture through its social development Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI).
    The A-Park will rehabilitate denuded and deforested areas identified by the DENR-Penro within the Magat Watershed or adjacent to the Magat reservoir in the province.
    Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR-Region 2 emphasized that the government through the DENR, local community, and private sector such as SNAP-Magat, could help mitigate climate change.
    "This project within the protected area of Dupax Protected Forest Reserve contributes to the efforts of increasing the forest cover in the park as an ecotourism destination. Its success will be felt not only within the protected area but also will radiate to adjoining watersheds and communities contributing to environmental programs," she added.
    Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Giovannie Magat was thankful for this environmental collaboration. "This project has been in the works for quite some time. We are glad that it finally came to reality; [this] will greatly contribute to the region's desire to improve the watersheds in Region 2," he said.
    The Oatfai, a people's organization in the province, will be the main implementing unit of the project.
    The project is a reforestation program that involves the planting of 18,750 forest trees and fruit-bearing seedlings over a 10-hectare area within the Dupax Watershed Forest Reserve. The project will last four years and will cost P2 million, with AFI contributing P1.5 million and SNAP-Magat contributing P500,000.
    The Luzon Watershed Project reaffirms SNAP's commitment to promoting environmental responsibility. "It is only through collective action and cooperation that we can make progress toward our common goal of a sustainable future for future generations," said lawyer Mike Hosillos, SNAP Group vice president for Corporate Affairs.
    Jhonber Castillo, SNAP Group Watershed senior specialist, said that SNAP is constantly implementing environmental programs to help save the planet. "This is SNAP's first environmental project in Nueva Vizcaya.     We are grateful to our government partners and community organizations for their shared commitment to environmental conservation," Castillo said.
    To date, SNAP-Magat's environmental initiatives have planted over 136,600 seedlings of various species covering an area of approximately 92 hectares.