By Raymart Escopel
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) aims to plant a total of 97,980 forest tree seedlings in the Barangays of Tiolas and Sta. Rita in San Joaquin, Iloilo as part of its “Southern Panay Reforestation Project” launched on June 4.
The said program is in line with the Special Tree Cutting Permit issued by the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 on March 5, 2013.
To be planted, maintained and protected in the 59-hectare site of the said barangays, the program is a testimony of NGCP’s commitment in taking care of the environment.
NGCP tapped the Sinugbohan Upland Farmers Association (SUFA) and DENR for the implementation of the program. A memorandum of agreement was inked stating that under the supervision of DENR, SUFA shall undertake the planting, maintenance and protection of forests tree seedlings.
The said reforestation project is part of the Upland Development Program and Climate Change initiative of the government in support of DENR’s National Greening Program.
SUFA president Vicmar Flores said they will do their best to implement the program and hopes it becomes successful.
Among the seedlings to be planted during the reforestation program include narra, fire and rain tree, he added.
The Southern Panay Reforestation Program costs about P3.48 million which will be allocated for the procurement or production of forest and grafted fruit tree seedlings, planting of seedlings including protection, care and maintenance, and general supervision.
The said program which will run for three years is also in support of the Southern Panay Backbone Transmission Project which involves the construction of a 116.3-km 13 kV double circuit line from Brgy. Cafe, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo to Brgy. Igbonglo, San Jose, Antique.
The project aims to improve system reliability and operational flexibility of the Iloilo Electric Cooperative I and Antique Electric Cooperative franchise areas and provide new distribution point of the 138 kV T/L for the Panay Grid.
As it traverses through the municipalities of Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin in Iloilo, and Hamtic and San Jose in Antique, trees will be cut to give way to the transmission lines. Thus, the Tree Replacement Program will be implemented./PN
