ANHS, DENR-13 sign MOP on mangrove planting

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA) - The Agusan National High School (ANHS), in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Caraga signed the Memorandum of Partnership (MOP) on the conduct of Mangrove Planting/reforestation for a cause set on November 16,  in Barangay Lumbocan, this city.

"We are gathered here today to witness an important occasion which is the signing of a Memorandum of Partnership between the DENR and ANHS Class 1990 on the planting of mangrove for a cause in support to the National Greening Program of President Aquino," said Mr. Eric Herzon Gallego, Regional Information Officer of DENR-Caraga in his welcome message.

Gallego bared that the National Greening Program (NGP) aims to plant trees on some 1.5 million hectares starting in 2011 up to the year 2016.

"The DENR is off to a good start, having already planted million of seedlings in over 232,000 hectares nationwide. The President has promised that his six-year administration would meet a reforestation target that took the DENR 25 years to meet," he said.

Mr. Richard Recososa, Program Director of ANHS Class 1990, emphasized that taking care of our environment also means giving ourselves the chance to live longer. "We are contributors to what is happening in our environment today. We must also take responsibility by doing activities that will protect, rehabilitate our environment," he said.

Also, Ms. Cherry May Busa, ANHS Class 1990 Executive Director and Acting President, assured that after its conduct of the Mangrove Reforestation in Brgy. Lumbocan, Butuan City on November 16, 2013, the ANHS Class 1990 will be monitoring and protecting the area to ensure that the planted propagules will live and grow as desired by doing active coordination with DENR's Barangay Off Site Office. "We will visit the actual site twice a month," she added.

Brgy. Captain of Lumbocan Ms. Shirley Reyes recognized the efforts of the ANHS and the DENR for choosing their area as beneficiaries of said activity. She also promised to regularly monitor the planted propagules and its maintenance.

"In the implementation of the National Greening Program in Caraga region, the DENR-Caraga has targeted 100,000 hectares to be planted until 2016. We are confident to achieve this number through our concerted efforts with partner stakeholders," said Regional Executive Dir. Nonito Tamayo of DENR-Caraga.

Other officials who signed the MOP are the following: Agusan del Norte PENRO Paterno Olivera and LLUMPA chairman Eleazar Accompanado. Said activity was witnessed by local tri-media and representatives from government agencies. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)