Environment secretary Roy Cimatu strengthens the implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program by targeting 13,050 hectares to be planted with bamboos in Panay Island. He pushed for it to become the country’s “Bamboo Capital” and this is one of his marching orders during his traditional New Year’s Call held at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office in Quezon City.
Bamboos help mitigate the effects of climate change as it can absorb 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare each year, improving the quality of air in the country and help cool the temperature. It also has an extensive root system maintaining soil stability that intercepts rain preventing soil erosion and flashfloods that may occur during heavy rain and typhoons.
During the New Year’s Call, Secretary Cimatu stressed the need to strictly enforce forest protection for rangers and punishment for illegal loggers.
On the other hand, other programs were also given focus by Sec. Cimatu, especially on the region’s patents issuance that has now more than 4,000 hectares target on agricultural and residential patents.
In this new decade, the DENR also pursues its goals to implement and mandate environmental laws, programs and sustain rehabilitations by improving air quality based on the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999; addressing solid waste problems through the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and protecting the country’s water bodies from pollution and strategizing to protect water quality through Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Meanwhile, the government through the efforts of the DENR along with other national government agencies sustain the rehabilitation of Boracay and Manila Bay. Secretary Cimatu orders official and employees of the department to conduct daily clean-up in the Manila Baywalk area and Baseco beach during the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
“With all these plans, Secretary Cimatu is calling on each one of us to be proactive and seriously take by heart the department’s mandate to responsibly take care of our environment and natural resources,” said Regional executive director Francisco E. Milla, Jr./PN
