Tacloban to undertake major refo project
TACLOBAN CITY — The City Government of Tacloban is set to implement another major reforestation project in the northern barangays that is aimed at restoring the forest cover and attaining a balanced ecosystem and sustainable production of agriculture and forest resources in the area.
City Environment Officer Jonathan Hijada said the proposed reforestation project, officially known as the “Tacloban City Upland (Watershed) Development Project,” is an extension of the 100-hectare Palanog-San Roque Reforestation Project completed by the city government this year.
“The new reforestation project would also be implemented in the northern barangays, but it will cover a much bigger area,” he pointed out.
According to him, the proposed project will cover approximately 340 hectares of deforested area in four barangays in the northern part of the city. These barangays are Palanog, San Roque, Bagacay, and Camansihay.
“The ultimate goal is to restore the forest cover in those areas, which is one way of addressing Global Warming,” he stressed.
“My men have already surveyed the area. Our target is to start the planting and actual implementation of the project by November or December of this year,” added Hijada.
The city environment officer disclosed the entire 340 hectares would mostly be planted with fast-growing endemic tree species like acacia, ipil-ipil, and mahogany; exotic tree species like lauan and narra; and fruit trees like jackfruit, cacao, rambutan, calamansi, and lanzones.
Hijada said that the planting would be done by upland farmers living near the area that they have tapped for the project.
“These are the people whose hearts are much closer to the environment,” he noted.
As incentive, Hijada said once they finish the planting, the farmers would be given several thousands of seedlings for their own use by the city government.
Among the priorities of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the project is expected to boost the city’s forest preservation efforts and provide employment opportunities to upland farmers.
Also, it is expected to curb air pollution and erosion problems, and enhance the sustainable use of natural resources in the area.
Funding will come from a more than P7-million grant that the GTZ would provide the city government for the project, it was learned. (CIO- Jose Rodriguez T. Señase)
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