[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 29, 2008
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – At least 1,669 indigenous people, including landless farmers and poor families, from far-flung areas in this land-locked province recently received land titles from the government.
This development came after the Department of the Environment and Naturall Resources (DENR) and local government units (LGUs) in the province of Agusan del Sur implemented the poverty alleviation program of President Arroyo in the countryside.
It was gathered that officials of the DENR, together with LGU officials led by Agusan del Sur Gov. Ma. Valentina G. Plaza continue to reach the farthest and remotest villages in the municipalities of Sta. Josefa, Veruela, Rosario, Bunawan, Trento, Loreto, La Paz, Bayugan and other areas in the province.
DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Sixto C. Badua said that Loreto Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Edgardo Bacomo, Bayugan CENR Officer Jaime Acebu and Bunawan CENR Officer Eutiquio M. Bade, Jr. continue to process hundreds of land patents for the far-flung villagers and farmers, and indigenous people.
He said that hundreds of land patents were already distributed by the CENRO Loreto, CENRO Bayugan and CENRO Bunawan during the last quarter of this year.
In another development, the DENR said that all wood operators are required to plant a tree first before they could secure a permit to operate.
This new ruling was announced by DENR Secretary Lito Atienza to assure the long-term survival and responsible use of the country’s watersheds.
"The availability and quality of our water supply depends on our watersheds. Therefore, we should see to it that they (watersheds) are protected and preserved which can be effectively done through the planting of trees in these areas," said Atienza, who is also the chairman of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
The DENR chief said that tree planting requirement will make individuals who apply for permit to extract surface and groundwater from watersheds to become more responsible and aware of the consequences of unhampered exploitation of watersheds.
