By: Chris Panganiban
BUTUAN CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Carmen in Surigao del Sur, and Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) came together to formalize a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the Agroforestry and Reforestation Project on February 21.
This project falls under the LGU Carmen Sustainable Agroforestry and Agro-Industrial Development Program (LGU Carmen CaSAAD), for which MMDC has allocated a budget of Php 2,038,795.00.
Signing on behalf of DENR Caraga was Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo, while Mayor Jane V. Plaza and General Mine Operations Head Engineer Eduardo M. Francisco signed for the LGU-Carmen, Surigao del Sur, and MMDC, respectively.
MMDC, a mining company situated in Surigao del Sur, located at Sitio Ban-ban, Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal, has committed to the project.
The Agreement encompasses various activities including Survey, Mapping, and Planning (SMP), seedling production, area development and maintenance, and protection of grafted fruit trees and indigenous tree species within a 50-hectare area to be identified within the municipality of Carmen.
The project aims to plant a maximum of 55,550 seedlings with a minimum planting distance of 3 meters by 3 meters and ensure a survival rate of at least 85%. Additionally, every fruit tree planted will be equivalent to 3 seedlings credited to MMDC-STCEP compliance.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Forester Maritess M. Ocampo, Cantilan Officer-in-Charge Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OIC-CENRO) Gay P. Resullar, and Carmen Sangguniang Bayan member Hon. Rencio P. Valerio.
The agreement delineates the duties and responsibilities of each party involved:
- DENR: Conducts Survey, Mapping, and Planning, provides technical advice and assistance, participates in monitoring and assessment, and validates LGU progress.
- LGU-Carmen CaSAAD: Selects co-operators and beneficiaries, distributes high-quality seedlings, spearheads project implementation, creates a Technical Working Group (TWG), and designates a Project Manager.
- MMDC: Allocates funds, assigns technical personnel to the TWG, covers expenses for DENR personnel, and allocates a budget for Survey, Mapping, and Planning.
This collaboration aims to promote sustainable agroforestry and reforestation practices for the benefit of the environment and the community.
