Apo Agua, DENR, Fardeco join hands for reforestation program

by Ivy Tejano

APO Agua operations head Shake A. Tuason, DENR–Davao regional executive director Bagani Fidel Evasco, and Fardeco Multipurpose Cooperative chairman Nelson Tagud at the signing of the memorandum of agreement.

DAVAO CITY – Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. (Apo Agua) recently partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 11 (Davao region) and the Fardeco Multipurpose Cooperative for a five-year reforestation program for the rehabilitation of the DENR’s 200-hectare Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Barangay Cadalian in Baguio District here. 

In keeping with their shared commitment to preserving the watershed and giving the people a chance to live, the Apo Agua and DENR-Davao teamed up to promote biodiversity and watershed conservation in the community through a complete information, education, and communication campaign.

DENR-Davao regional executive director Bagani Fidel Evasco said to foster wildlife conservation through preserving and protecting animals, plants, and their habitats, metal signages highlighting local endemic species will be placed in all barangays of Baguio District, in addition to multimedia materials like posters and movies.

Evasco said they have worked with Aboitiz on many projects.

This reforestation program is about planting trees and restoring and caring for the National Greening Program (NGP) area within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, he added. 

“With this partnership, the Apo Agua is helping us ensure the sustainability of our water table all the way to Davaoeños’ homes. I hope it does not end here, and we will continue with our conservation efforts,” Evasco said.

Apo Agua also provided the monitoring team of the DENR City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) with digital cameras and their Lawin Patrollers with mobile devices, power banks, and raincoats to optimize their watershed monitoring activities.

“It’s an honor to stand alongside DENR in protecting the Panigan-Tamugan watershed. At Aboitiz, we highly value environmental conservation as part of our strategy for advancing business and communities,” Apo Agua president Anna Lu said, adding that they recognize the urgent need to protect the watershed as this will be the next water source of Davao City.

DENR plants 230 bamboo seedlings along Bamban River

BAMBOO PLANTING Department of Environment and Natural Resources personnel and volunteers take part in a bamboo-planting activity along the Bamban River in Tarlac. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Jerry Hernandez, Manila Times

BAMBAN, Tarlac: To boost reforestation in the province of Tarlac, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) planted about 230 bamboo seedlings along Bamban River.

A total 3,600-square meter portion of Bamban River was covered in the tree-planting undertaking.

The department noted that several activities were conducted in preparation for the activity.

"The DENR has regularly conducted clean-up activities in collaboration with partner agencies and the 40 estero rangers deployed in the area who collected an average of about 14,500 kilos of waste daily," Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office head Celia Esteban said.

The clean-up activities conducted in the region this year have yielded 140,000 tons of waste materials.