‘Save the environment for a brighter future’ – Gov. Espino
LINGAYEN—Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. called on the people of Pangasinan to continue doing their share in helping save the province’s environment to ensure a brighter future and as a legacy to the next generations.
Espino made the call following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the awarding of a P287, 500 fund to the Province of Pangasinan by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the rehabilitation of about 25 hectares of mangrove.
The ceremonial signing was held October 7 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here between Espino and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Leduina Co representing DENR Regional Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel.
The province received the project fund from DENR as an incentive and recognition to its laudable efforts in Coastal Resource Management.
Pangasinan was adjudged as the Region 1 Best Project Implementer last year and consequently a Hall of Fame Awardee for winning the title for three consecutive years.
Considering the potential sites for mangrove planting in the municipalities of Dasol and Infanta, the provincial government had recommended these municipalities as project sites.
Dasol has a target planting area of 15 hectares while Infanta has 10 hectares.
As this developed, Espino thanked the DENR for recognizing the province’s environmental efforts as he cited the various environmental projects the province has embarked on since he became provincial chief executive, putting environmental protection as one of his priority programs.
One of the Espino administration’s most significant projects is the river clean-up where the governor spearheaded clearing and dredging operations through the multi-sectoral and multi-agency effort of the Task Force Kalikasan under the “Ilog Ko Bilayen Tan Aroen Ko” program.
Espino said the provincial government worked on massive coastal clean-up, mangrove planting along coastal areas and riverbanks, tree planting in denuded mountains and continuous environmental advocacy programs conducted in rural communities and schools.
He also noted that the river clean-up complemented by the transformation and rehabilitation of seedling facilities in barangay Portic, Bugallon and Arnedo Mangrove Information Center and Nursery in Bolinao has increased the mangrove production in the province by 284% and expanded coastal reforestation in coastal areas and riverbanks, adding that Pangasinan is the only province in Region1 that operates its own mangrove nursery.
Meanwhile, the MOA signing also served as the launching for the mangrove rehabilitation project to highlight the partnership of the LGU and DENR on coastal resource management.
Mayors Ruperto Martinez of Infanta and Noel Nacar of Dasol, who is also the Mayor’s League president, witnessed the MOA signing.
The MOA defines the terms and condition of the 25 hectares Mangrove Rehabilitation Project where the concept will be on a contract-growing scheme with fisherfolk organizations as recipients.
Based on the terms and reference prepared by the DENR, the beneficiary shall receive P11,500 on a staggered basis for every hectare planted with about 1,000 pieces mangrove propagules. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)
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