Enhanced National Greening Program (NGP) is one of the priority programs under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) Nos. 23 and 26, both series of 2011, the NGP as the DENR banner program, aims to mitigate climate change by expanding forest cover that serves as a carbon sink.

Moreover,  EO No. 193 was signed on November 12, 2015, the Expanded NGP will rehabilitate all the remaining unproductive, denuded, and degraded forestlands estimated at 7.1 million hectares from 2016 to 2028.

In support  of this advocacy, the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau – Urban and Biodiversity Research Development and Extension Center (ERDB-UBRDEC) joins the celebration of International Day of Climate Action through the Bamboo Forum for Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – Mulanay Campus in Quezon province.

Officials and representatives from PUP Mulanay, Local Government Unit of Mulanay, 85th Infantry Battalion and Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Trade and Industry – Quezon, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources of Catanauan graced the activity.

Around 80 college students and faculty of PUP Mulanay as well as People’s Organizations also participated in the bamboo forum.

“I envision Mulanay to be the bamboo park capital of Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon province,” expressed by Hon. Aristotle Aguirre, Mayor of Mulanay, in his message.

He also shared the bamboo plantation development project for biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood for Mulanay.

On the other hand, BGen. Norwyn Romeo Tolentino of SOLCOM and Ltc. Joel Jonson presented the Bamboo Park Project inside the PUP Mulanay Campus which includes the proposed concept  of Freedom Wall/Mental Health, Bamboo Nursery, Multi-purpose Hal and Coffee Shop among others.

While, For. Gregorio Santos Jr., Center Head of UBRDEC, provided a lecture on strategies for biodiversity conservation, environmental issues resulting  from climate change, benefits and ecological contributions of planting bamboos.

In addition, Ms. Altamiel Evangelista, Negosyo Center Business Counselor of Mulanay, discussed different opportunities in bamboo production and marketing.

  

The ceremonial bamboo planting with the use of Hi-Q VAM 1, a biofertilizer technology developed by ERDB characterized by a high capacity for growing and surviving stress periods, and commitment signing highlighted the event.

As stewards of the environment, the ERDB-UBRDEC together with PUP Mulanay, LGU Mulanay, CENRO Catanauan, DTI Quezon, 85th Infantry Battalion and SOLCOM of AFP,  agreed to take actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable and resilient future. Jamila Monette B. Balmeo, UBRDEC

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