ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur – A mining firm that developed their tree-planting program in this landlocked province has vowed to build stronger working ties with a newly formed media group to ensure the continuing preservation and protection of the environment and forest.
PHILSAGA Mining Corp. president Raul C. Villanueva (left) inducts officials of the PMC Press Corps in Padigusan, Rosario, Agusan del Sur, on Monday, June 5. (Mike U. Crismundo)
In his message during the induction of new PMC Press Corps officials here on Monday, June 5, Raul C. Villanueva, president of the Philsaga Mining Corp., emphasized the importance of working together with other government agencies, the private sector, and civil society in implementing the programs of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Your group is very vital in our continuing environmental program, after all we are not looking for this time, but focusing to the next generation to come,” Villanueva said.
“Aside from being partners in print and electronic media (TV, radio, and other digital forms), we need them as partners in the continuing government programs aimed at environmental preservation and progressive forest rehabilitation programs,” he added.
Villanueva said the National Greening Program (NGP), the government's massive reforestation initiative that has been extended until 2028, needs full support from all sectors of society.
He said the company’s tree-planting sites have already been converted into economic zones through agro-forestry to enable highland people to grow and care for the trees that they plant and earn from them.
Aside from the company’s mangrove plantation in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, the company has already planted more than 10,000 trees of various species in plantations in this town and neighboring towns of this province.
“We can be partners in community outreach programs, either initiated by the company, or by the PMC Press Corps, or by the members of respective media companies,” he said.
“We need the PMC Press Corps to encourage people to be always ready to respond and support communities destroyed by calamities and other disasters, both natural and man-made,” Villanueva said.
“It is our duty, the company, and the press corps, to develop a culture of care. Together, we can help more people; together we can achieve better public information.”
The newly inducted officials of the PMC Press Corps are Richard Grande (95.5 Kuyaw FM), president; Edwin Bayer (Bombo Radyo Butuan), vice president; Roniel Cinco (Brigada FM), secretary; Alexis Cabardo (PTV-Agusan del Sur), treasurer, and Mike Imbo (Radyo Trese/Pahayagang Mindanao), PIO.