DENR-IX bats for production of quality seedlings

DENR IX Regional Executive Director (RED)
 Arleigh J. Adorable (right)

PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region-IX is stepping-up its efforts in the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) of President Benigno S. Aquino III with the promotion of quality indigenous fruit tree seedlings.

Directly supervised by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), the preparation for the production of good native fruit tree seedlings through clonal farming is now in its final stage.

According to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, “this increase in the ERDB’s base target is in keeping with the department’s move to shift from the use of exotic species to indigenous or native species.”

DENR-IX said the region has gained headway in the implementation of NGP with a total of 4,804 hectares of land planted to 2,402,000 forest and fruit trees in 2011.

In 2012, the area covered increased to 6,228.90 hectares with 3,443,294 seedlings planted. This year’s target is more than tripled at 20,996 hectares to be planted with 11,698,500 seedlings.

For this year, 50,000 of these requirements can already be sourced from the clonal farm in time of the next planting season. Once this clonal farm becomes fully operational, it will be able to supply 80,000 quality seedlings per annum for the program.

DENR IX Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable has also expressed optimism that this additional source of quality seedlings can boost NGP efforts in the region.

“The clamor for supplies of quality seedlings is high considering that we have targets to meet to attain the national goal of planting 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of forestlands nationwide in a span of 6 years, thus, I welcome the laudable efforts of the Forestry Management Sector (FMS) and the support of the ERDB to help in augmenting the supply of quality seedlings for the planters,” RED Adorable said.

DENR IX has established the Regional Clonal Nursery and Ecological Research and Training Center (RCNERTC) to answer the need for quality seedlings in order to attain the vision of NGP.

This was established sometime in September 2011 by virtue of DENR-IX Regional Administrative Order No. 001, Series of 2011, setting aside more or less 12.3 hectares within Baclay-Pulacan Reforestation Project for this purpose. The facility, which is located at the municipality of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, serves as the regional center for the production, storage and disposition of quality planting materials and indigenous and premium forest trees and economically important non-timber forest species.

It also aims to provide avenues for training, conferences and symposia of the DENR and its clients. Likewise, it is a model site for the conduct of verification and documentation of the production of various seedling species.

The said site is very accessible as it is only about 300 meters from the national highway. It has abundant water supply, good drainage, moderately rolling terrain, and ample areas for expansion. It is also equipped with the Rooting Chambers, Recovery Sheds, Potting Sheds, Laboratory and Hardening Beds.

Regional Technical Director Gil Ona, on the other hand, said more emphasis has been placed in the production of quality indigenous species which are deemed harder to propagate in ordinary methods.

The seeds, wildlings and seedlings propagated in RCNERTC came from “identified plus” or mother trees within the area to purposely come up with a good source of quality seedlings and to ensure the preservation of the natural flora of the locality.

“After all, NGP is not only intended for climate change mitigation but also for biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and food security,” Ona stressed.

Meanwhile, the Regional Forest Tree Seed Committee (RFTSC) which was created by virtue of DAO-2010-11 and chaired by RTD Ona, is working to ensure that there will be sufficient supply of quality planting stocks for the region as required.

This committee is now in the process of accrediting People’s Organizations who are owners of seedling nurseries. The production of these accredited nurseries will help augment the supply of seedling requirements of the region. However, before getting accredited, it will have to pass through a validation process so that the seedlings for planting possess the highest possible qualities.

Moreover, to enhance the region’s implementation of this program, the committee is doing back-to-back efforts with the roll-out implementation program on Sustainable Environment and Livelihood for DSWD’s disadvantaged clients. Beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer under the 4Ps are encouraged to participate in the NGP by establishing backyard nurseries and planting these in the designated areas. These small scale suppliers are encouraged to propagate fruit trees, which command higher prices and give them better income.

Complementing the efforts of the RCNERTC is the Technology Transfer Division (TTD), which is now fast tracking the transfer of this state-of-the-art and the other perfected Environmental and Natural Resources technologies to interested entities.

To carry out this task, the division is currently doing infotech campaign using the tri-media and synchronizes its conduct of information drives during significant events and activities of the local government units (LGUs) and other organizations in the area, aimed at attracting recipients for possible technology transfer and investments on said technologies.

Replication of the clonal farm by private entities would further bolster the supply of quality seedlings for the region to meet its target, DENR9 said.

Interested applicants are enjoined to contact DENR9 office anytime for more information about this matter.

Also, for a much deeper appreciation of the overall impact of the project, RCNERTC will soon be showcased to the general public as a demonstration area.

“The aim here is to let the people understand that trees help not only to beautify, but clean the atmosphere and thwart global warming,” explained DENR9 officials.

The program also hoped that the values of ordinary Filipinos would be developed towards sustaining the forests at whatever cost, because it would give lifetime benefits and livelihood opportunities, from generation to generation especially poor segment of the society. (PR DENR 9)