By Mike Crismundo
SURIGAO CITY – All mining companies in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region had been directed to continue planting 100 trees in replacing one tree felled and destroyed in their area of mine extractions.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In a policy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the effort is aimed to sustain ecological balance.
The mining companies spread in the five provinces in Caraga region are ordered to continue “without let up” their tree planting activities, the DENR said.
The DENR specifically cited the bulk of mining companies in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
“Our objective here is not only for the present generation but we are looking ahead in preparation for the next generation,” stressed Regional Executive Director (RED) Atty. Felix S. Alicer in a speech before the top regional officials, provincial and community environment and natural resources officers (PENROs, CENROs).
During the 2nd Management Conference (2nd ManCom) here the other day, RED Alicer ordered the PENROs and CENROs to personally conduct inspections to all mining firms in Caraga region.
“Our mandated task is to continue our expanded national greening program (NGP) and all companies in this region are also mandated to do their task in relation to sustain ecological balance,” RED Alicer pointed out.
The regional office of the DENR commended the Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC) for their continuing tree planting program where the company already planted more than one million trees of various species, including giant bamboo trees and fruit trees located in the municipalities of Rosario and Bunawan, both in Agusan del Sur and also in neighboring areas.
Other mining firms in the region were also told to replicate the long-range tree planting program of PMC.
RED Alicer ordered all field officials of the DENR spread in the five provinces and six cities in Caraga region to also tap local government units in the continuing tree planting activities.
“Our continuing tree planting is a big plus factor in our climate mitigation program, and this must be sustained,” the region’s top DENR official said.