The antipoverty program in Mindanao prides itself on its contribution to the reforestation efforts of the country.
The Department of Agriculture's Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) has released over P40 million for its environment projects and half of it is allotted for reforestation activities in the upland the coastal areas in the south of the Philippines.
DA-MRDP is poverty alleviation program under the Department of Agriculture aims to improve incomes, better governance and sustain bountiful gifts of nature of Mindanao.
"We're glad that we have our humble contribution for the protection of our natural resources as well as in the reforestation efforts of the country," said program director Lealyn Ramos.
The recent feat of the country as cited for its low-carbon reforestation program comes as a reward when everyone toils to protect ourselves and the country from climate change Ramos said.
"Our contribution might be considered small but surely it's nothing trivial," she added.
Implemented under the Program's Natural Resources Management (NRM), 575 hectares of upland and coastal areas various areas in Mindanao have engaged in agroreforestation, watershed management and mangrove rehabilitation.
RT Lim town in Zamboanga Sibugay is now implementing 100 hectare reforestation activities with P3.45 million to spend. About three communities in Linamon town in Lanao del Norte have engaged in agroforestry conservation and ecotourism development for its 12 hectares forest cover which house the one of province's tourist spot the Tinago Falls.
Don Marcelino town in Davao region has started the protection and management of its 200 hectare Nuvada Watershed with P4.24 million budget.
In Kalamansig town in the province of Sultan Kudarat, the seaside community is now rearing mangroves planted to its 20 hectares coastal area which is part of its P2 million mangrove rehabilitation project.
The 100 hectare agroreforestation program in Nasipit, Agusn del Norte is now thriving and the community is seeing the promise of its fruit trees.
While in the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, has planted various fruit-bearing trees in 128-hectare area in the mountains of Datu Odin Sinusat town and mangroves in a 15 hectare coast line. The project was allotted P6 million.
