By Freddie G. Lazaro
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 1 has allocated P70.7 million for the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation projects in Ilocos Norte in three years.
The DSWD Regional Field Office 1 implemented the Cash for Work on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CFW-CCAM) in partnership with IlocosNorte GovernorImee R. Marcos and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Ilocos Norte starting in 2016.
Through the CFW-CCM, at least 4,500 hectares of forest lands in Ilocos Norte have been reforested and protected.
Aside from continuous tree planting, “kaingin” or the practice of burning of trees for charcoal-making has been stopped in many parts of the areas where assigend Barangay Ranger Officers have maintained and protected seedlings planted through CFW-CCAM, and guarding the mountains from any grass fire or man-made fires.
In Saguigui, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Tribal Chieftain Emiliano Rabago is maintaining at least four hectares of forest land planted with fruit-bearing trees and coffee.
During CFW activities, everyone in the community, including the elderly and young residents, participateand work for 10 days with pay, especially during lean months when there are no sources of income for all.
Under CFW, 60,000 coffee seedlings are also being maintained, ready for planting to other open and devastated lands in Ilocos Norte through its Greening Program.
IrynCubangbang, the spokesperson of the DSWD Region 1, said the 12 areas that are part of the Greening Program through CFW-CCAM includes Laoag City, Solsona, Dingras, Badoc, Bangui, Pagudpud, Pasuquin, Vintar, Nueva Era, Pinili, Burgos, and Bacarra.
Meanwhile, mangrove planting program along the coastlines and other bodies of water in Ilocos Norte was intensified through the CFW-CCAM.