[ Manila Bulletin Online ] January 14, 2009
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga Region) has cleared the remaining barriers that obstruct the full operation of a multi-billion-peso forest plantation project in this landlocked province of Agusan del Sur, paving the way for the acceleration of economic growth in the area, this was learned yesterday.
For a province that has been classified as among the areas with high incidence of poverty, the project is a welcome relief.
Local officials said the project is expected to bring in fresh capital funds into the local economy and generate employment opportunities for the people.
The move followed the resolution and fine tuning of issues, concerns and other details of the Co-Production Agreement signed in previous years between the DENR and the Shanalynne Inc. during a meeting that was presided over by the Northeastern Mindanao DENR Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Prosperidad town.
The DENR Secretary Lito L. Atienza has always been promoting reforestation in the countryside to support the poverty-alleviation program of President Arroyo.
Also present during the meeting were representatives of the Shannalynne Inc. headed by its area operations manager Redoben Andaya , PENR officer Sixto C. Badua, CENR officers for Bayugan Jaime Acebu, Eutiquio M. Bade, Jr. for Bunawan, Edgardo Bacomo for Loreto and Belo Urdarbe, division head of the Land Management Services.
"Except for few regulation requirements which the investors have to comply with, the operation of the 120,000-hectare forest plantation project of Shannalyne Inc. which is also under the stewardship of the government of New Zealand and Finland is certain to start anytime" said Buiser.
He said that for instance, the DENR has emphasized that the company should shoulder the expenses to be incurred during the delineation of boundary perimeters of the project area, considering the limited funding resources of the DENR.
Buiser also made it clear that the forest protection within the project area, being the responsibility of the company, must be strengthened as provided for under the agreement.
He said the DENR could assist the Shannalyne Inc. in the aspect of forest protection through the deputation of recommended forest officers so that the said deputized company forest guards can now have the authority to apprehend and confiscate illegally-cut and illegally-transported forest products and recommend the prosecution of forest violators in the project area.
Buiser, however, cautioned company officials to hire the right people for the job who have the credibility, integrity and the right character to ensure the protection and preservation of forest resources in their area.
Meanwhile, in the latest validation of the project area which is conducted by the DENR, it was found out that the company has been able to establish at least two forest nurseries with a stock of some 1.3 million mahogany seedlings and other fast growing tree species.
It was learned that about eight hectares of land have already been planted by the company.
Andaya said they are mobilizing people in the area to plant fast growing tree seedlings on the 8,000 hectares of open land in the next seven weeks.
