Guindaruhan National High School teaching and non-teaching personnel led by their school head Dr. Ermetes Adolfo Jr. participated in the launch of the National Greening Program on Saturday, June 25, 2011 in Barangay Guindaruhan, Minglanilla, Cebu. The GNHS delegation planted fruit-tree seedlings around the vicinity of the school where the semi-forested land is situated.
The National Greening Program is in accordance with Executive Order No. 26 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on February 24, 2011. It is one of government's priority programs geared in attaining sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
It also consolidates and harmonizes all greening efforts such as Upland Development Program, Luntiang Pilipinas, and similar initiatives of the government, civil society and private sector under a National Greening Program.
NGP aims to plant some 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares of the country's public domains such as the forestlands, mangrove, and protected areas, among others, within a six-year period, from 2011 to 2016.
The National Greening Program (NGP) is intended for: forest for people, poverty reduction, resource conservation and protection, productivity enhancement, climate change mitigation and adaptation (see MSPowerpoint presentation).
Division of Cebu Province led by Dr. Arden D. Monisit called on the school heads and the focal persons for the immediate implementation of the NGP and sent Division Coordinator and Supervisor Mr. Romualdo D. Abella and Mrs. Corazon Pumar to lecture at once regarding the program. In Division Memo No. 239 s. 2011 stated that in line with Executive Order No. 26, signed by His Excellency Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III on February 24, 2011--Re: Implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP), students, government employees, private sectors and civil society groups are required to plant and grow a minimum of ten (10) trees per year. For further information, please see attached MSpowerpoint presentations during the 1-day seminar as follows:
- 1. Final National Greening Program;
- 2. Gulayan sa Paaralan;
- 3. How to Plant Tree Seedlings;
- 4. PNOY 1 Billion Tree;
- 5. Monitoring Report on VG;
- 6. District Form Summary;
- 7. District Implementation Plan; and
- 8. Teacher Form Summary.
On the other hand, in the press release dated February 24, 2011, President Benigno S Aquino III issued Executive Order (EO) 26, declaring the implementation of the National Greening Program as a government priority program to reduce poverty, promote food security, environmental stability and biodiversity conservation, and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The Executive Order supports and complements EO No. 23, an earlier directive of President Aquino, which bans logging in natural and residual forests, as well as Proclamation No. 125, declaring 2011 as the National Year of Forests in the Philippines. It mandates the DA-DAR-DENR Convergence Initiative to be the oversight committee for the program, with DENR as the lead agency.
Pres. Aquino led the launching of the National Greening Program (NGP) at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) headquarters in Quezon City.
The program specifically seeks to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in 1.5 million hectares of public lands nationwide in six years, from 2011 to 2016--more than twice the government's accomplishment for the past 25 years, which adds to about 730,000 hectares.
Areas for planting under the program include forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations, urban areas under the greening plan of LGUs, inactive and abandoned mine sites, and other suitable lands of the public domain.
The NGP also seeks to improve water quality in rivers and irrigation for farm lands, reduce the potential for flooding, soak up carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and lay the foundation for an expanded wood-products economy.
All government agencies and institutions, including local government units, will provide full support to the program, not only in terms of tree planting, but also in the production of quality seedlings, mobilization of all government employees, including students from Grade 5 to college level, to plant at least 10 seedlings each, annually. The private sector is encouraged to participate in the program as well.
Upland communities will also be tapped to be responsible in taking care of the seedlings planted by other participants. In turn, they will be included in the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Strategies to be adopted to ensure the program's success include social mobilization, harmonization of initiatives, provision of incentives, and monitoring and management of database.
During the launch of the NGP last May 13 President Aquino registered on-line to the NGP website "in an apparent gesture of inspiring the citizenry to follow suit and cast the citizens' support as well."
Upon registration on the website (www.ngp.denr.gov.ph), the participants will be provided instruction on how to plant, donate to the program, download related material, read news, view areas for planting through a map, and contact the NGP secretariat at the DENR.
A March 14, 2011 press release by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has released the guidelines on the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP), which seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide in six years, from 2011 to 2016.
DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje issued DENR Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2011-01, providing for the mechanics and specific targets of the National Greening Program.
Under Executive Order No. 26, President Benigno S. Aquino III tasked the DENR to lead in the implementation of NGP.
"The guidelines were crafted in such manner as to ensure that all greening activities, whether by the government, local government units or by the private sector, will contribute to the objectives of the program like poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation," Paje said.
According to Paje, the program calls for massive participation not only in tree planting but also in plantation maintenance and seedling production by all sectors of the Philippine society. Hence, he said, the memorandum circular will serve to guide NGP partners/implementers in planning for their involvement in the program.
Of the 1.5 million hectares targeted for reforestation under the NGP, Paje said that a total of 100,000 hectares are targeted for this year. "We are starting this year with at least 100,000 hectares of new plantations. This will be increased to 250,000 hectares next year, and further increased in the years ahead until we meet the programmed target as directed by President Aquino."
This year's target areas for reforestation include 60,000 hectares within community-managed forestlands including mangroves and coastal areas; 20,000 hectares within protected areas; 20,000 hectares in ancestral domain areas; and 10,000 hectares in other areas specifically described in EO 26, such as civil and military reservations, urban areas identified by local government units, riverbanks and stream banks, and inactive and abandoned mines.
In consonance with the thrust of the government for food security, Paje said that aside from forest tree species, fruit-bearing trees will also be allowed to be planted under the program, such as mango, coffee, cacao, cashew, guyabano, and many more.
Forest tree species identified for planting in the uplands include dipterocarps, narra and other premium and indigenous species, as well as fast growing species such as mahogany, gmelina, bagras, acacia, and rubber. Bamboo and mangrove species shall also be tapped as reforestation crops, particularly in river banks and coastal areas, to control soil erosion and as buffers against wave action.
To ensure the survival of newly planted seedlings, Paje said that under MC 2011-01, the DENR field offices are to ascertain that there are stakeholders presently living in areas to be placed under NGP activities.
"This addresses the gap in many reforestation schemes that seedlings die within the immediate period because they were planted in areas where there are no stakeholders to tend to them and would directly benefit from the trees," Paje said.
For community-managed forest lands, preference will be given to areas that have accessibility to planters and market destinations for the produce to be harvested from the trees when already bearing their fruits or byproducts like bamboo and rattan.
The existence of peoples' organizations (POs) that have active registration status with relevant government organizations such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Cooperative Development Authority will also be prioritized; otherwise, the DENR shall assist POs in acquiring the necessary accreditation.
Paje also stressed that barangay officers will be tapped in the identification and selection of areas and sites "for consideration of DSWD in the grant of incentives to qualified NGP beneficiaries under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program."
MC 2011-11 sets the months from July to December for the planting season "following the respective climatic types, planting calendars of forest and fruit trees species and prevailing and forecasted weather conditions by PAGASA, for higher survival of the planted seedlings."
Executive Order No. 26 - Implementation of a National Greening Program (NGP)
MALACANAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 26
WHEREAS, poverty reduction, resource conservation and protection, productivity enhancement, climate change mitigation and adaptation, are among the priority programs of the government;
WHEREAS, there is a need to consolidate and harmonize all greening efforts such as Upland Development Program, Luntiang Pilipinas and similar initiatives of the government, civil society and private sector under a National Greening Program;
WHEREAS, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country's environmental and natural resources;
WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is the lead agency to boost farmers' income and reduce poverty in the rural sector;
WHEREAS, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is the lead agency in the implementation of agrarian reform and sustainable rural development programs;
WHEREAS, the DA, DENR, DAR pursuant to Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series 2010 have adopted a Convergence Initiative to integrate and strengthen development framework between and among national government, local government agencies and other stakeholders, wherein complementary human, physical and financial resources are efficiently and effectively deployed;
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 23 series 2011 has mandated the DA-DAR-DENR Convergence Initiative to develop a National Greening Program in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), private sector and other concerned agencies and institutions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III,President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order and declare the implementation of a National Greening Program (NGP) as a government priority.
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to pursue sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Section 2. Coverage. The National Greening Program shall plant some 1.5 Billion trees covering about 1.5 Million hectares for a period of six (6) years from 2011 to 2016, in the following lands of the public domain:
2.1 Forestlands
2.2 Mangrove and protected areas
2.3 Ancestral domains
2.4 Civil and military reservations
2.5 Urban areas under the greening plan of the LGUs
2.6 Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and
2.7 Other suitable lands
All other greening efforts of the private sector and civil society shall be harmonized under the NGP.
Section 3. Strategies. In order to ensure the successful implementation of the NGP, the following strategies shall be adopted:
3.1 Social Mobilization
3.1.1 All students, identified by the DepEd and CHED and all government employees shall be individually required to plant a minimum of ten (10) seedlings per year in areas determined by the Convergence Initiative. Private sectors and civil society groups shall likewise be encouraged to participate in the NGP.
3.1.2 With appropriate assistance from the government and the private sector, the Peoples' Organizations (POs) shall be given the primary responsibility of maintaining and protecting the established plantations.
3.2 Harmonization of Initiatives
3.2.1 All tree planting initiatives such as the Upland Development Program, Luntiang Pilipinas and similar activities of the government, private sector, LGUs and the civil society shall be harmonized under the NGP.
3.2.2 All government institutions, especially DA, DAR, DENR, CHED and DepEd shall produce appropriate quality seedlings annually for the NGP. Technical assistance shall be provided by DA, DENR, and DAR under the Convergence Initiative.
3.3 Provision of Incentives
3.3.1 All proceeds from agro forestry plantations, duly accounted by the DENR, shall accrue to the NGP beneficiary communities to address food security and poverty reduction.
3.3.2 NGP beneficiary communities shall be considered priority in the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program.
3.3.3 Appropriate incentives shall be developed by the Convergence Initiative to encourage rain forestation, particularly in the protected area.
3.4 Monitoring and Management of Database
3.4.1 The DA, DAR, DENR, shall develop a centralized database and provide regular monitoring and timely report on the progress of the NGP.
3.4.2 The Convergence Initiative shall engage the private sector, civil society and academe in the monitoring and evaluation of the NGP.
Section 4. Oversight Committee and Lead Agency. The members of the Steering Committee under the DA-DAR-DENR Convergence Initiative shall constitute the NGP Oversight Committee, to be chaired by the DENR. The DENR shall be the lead agency for the NGP.
Section 5. Partner Agencies/Stakeholders. The NGP shall be implemented in partnership with the following agencies/stakeholders, whose responsibilities shall include but not limited to the following:
5.1 DA-DAR-DENR
5.1.1 Nursery establishment and seedling production
5.1.2 Site identification and site preparation
5.1.3 Social mobilization
5.1.4 Tree planting
5.1.5 Monitoring and evaluation
5.1.6 Technical support and extension services
5.1.7 Provision of certified seeds of agronomic crops
5.1.8 Provision of access roads and trails to planting site
5.1.9 Provision of post harvest and processing facilities
5.1.10 Technical assistance in product development and marketing
5.2 Department of Education (DepEd)/ Commission on Higher
Education (CHED)
5.2.1 Student mobilization
5.2.2 Nursery establishment, seedling production and tree planting
5.2.3 Information, Education and Communication
5.2.4 Provision of extension services
5.2.5 Monitoring and evaluation
5.3 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
5.3.1 Provision of Conditional Cash Transfer to NGP beneficiaries
5.3.2 Social mobilization
5.4 Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
5.4.1 Allocation of funds for all activities of the NGP
5.5 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
5.5.1 Provision of transportation, security and fire protection amenities
5.5.2 Information, Education and Communication
5.6 Local Government Units (LGUs)
5.6.1 Establishment of nurseries and production of planting materials
5.6.2 Development of greening plan for urban and suburban areas
5.6.3 Lead the establishment of communal tree farms for firewood and other domestic uses
5.6.4 Construction of access roads and trails to the planting sites
5.6.5 Provision of medical support
5.6.6 Technical assistance and extension of services
5.7 Department of Health (DOH)
5.7.1 Provision of transportation and medical support
5.8 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
5.8.1 Provision of transportation in the hauling of seedlings and volunteer planters
5.8.2 Assistance in the construction of access roads and trails to the planting sites
5.9 Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
5.9.1 Provision of transport for participants
5.9.2 Provision of communication facilities
5.10 Department of National Defense (DND)
5.10.1 Nursery establishment and seedling production
5.10.2 Site preparation
5.10.3 Provision of transportation support
5.10.4 Provision of security
5.11 Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
5.11.1 Development and transfer of appropriate technologies
5.11.2 Information, Education and Communication
5.12 Department of Justice (DOJ)
5.12.1 Nursery establishment and production of planting materials
5.12.2 Provision of transportation
5.13 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
5.13.1 Mobilization of participation of indigenous peoples
5.13.2 Identification of sites for NGP inside ancestral domains
5.13.3 Supervision of forest protection activities inside ancestral domains
5.14 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
5.14.1 Technical assistance in products development
5.15 Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
5.15.1 Provision of funds for seedling production and other related activities of the NGP
5.16 All other government agencies, instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), shall provide full support and assistance to the NGP.
Section 6. Implementing Guidelines. All participating agencies/ institutions, within fifteen (15) days from the date of this Executive Order, shall issue their respective guidelines to implement the NGP, copy furnished the NGP Oversight Committee.
Section 7. Funding Mechanisms. Funds needed for the implementation of the NGP for the current year shall be provided by the DBM and funding for the succeeding years shall be incorporated in the regular appropriation of participating agencies.
Section 8. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that maybe declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other provisions hereof, as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and can be given effect in their entirety.
Section 9. Repealing Clause. All rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 10. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of February, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.
(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
By the President:
(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary
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