DENR Aklan Modest Accomplishment

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources had modest accomplishments despite setbacks in manpower mobilization and logistics.

DENR had successfully completed contractual planting of commercial tree species that include bamboo and rattan in critical watersheds, its 2008 Annual Report stated. Naba-oy which supplies potable water to Boracay Island and barangays of Argao, Caticlan, Cubay Norte and Sur totaled 500 hectares planted; funded at P6.4 M. Panakuyan river which water resource provides irrigation water to Ibajay’s riceland of 620 hectares funded for P18.5 million was done. The non government organization, particularly the 11 farmers’ cooperatives associations, one barangay council and two families had their funds released over the last three years which generated 1,279 jobs.

In its forest management sector, 10 hectares of forest tree plantation were undertaken by two family contractors in Makato. Plantation maintenance and protection were done on 127 hectares in Ibajay, Makato, Tangalan, Nabas, and Malay. On seedling production, CENRO Kalibo produced a total of 11,390 seedlings of narra, mountain agoho, acacia auriculiformis, acacia manguim, talisay and mangrove species. DENR Aklan classified lands of more than 18 percent slope totalling 87,258 hectares. Lands of more than 18 percent slope in Aklan totaled 87,258 hectares Considering its size, nine Forest Rangers are deputized to coordinate with LGU’s barangay officials and stakeholders in its law enforcement and regulatory activities.

OIC CENRO Chief Baltazar M. Gerardo is very particular about forest protection and law enforcement. His personnel confiscated 3,804 board feet of lumber, one chainsaw and eight finished products made of narra. Inventory of drifted lumber in towns of Ibajay and Libacao during typhoon Frank yielded 1,992 cubic meters, subsequently donated to the said towns.
DENR Aklan gave agro forestry development emphasis. A total of 20 hectares was developed in Rosal, Logtoca and Manika Green Savers Federation, Inc.

Choice fruit trees like lanzones and rambutan are intercropped with forest plantation to provide better livelihood and nutrition to stakeholders.

In its land management service, 266 patents were distributed to 438 bene-ficiaries in a program dubbed as "Handog Titulo Mula sa Puso ng DENR". Revenue generated totaled P564,908 from sales of residential area, application fees, cadastral costs, rents, and others.

With the growing emphasis on eco-tourism, Regional Executive Director Ricardo L. Calderon issued Memo Order No. 2009–04 dated Feb. 10, 2009 to establish CENRO Boracay that will cover Boracay Island and its vicinities namely: Malay, Buruanga, Nabas, Ibajay, and Tangalan. The main office shall be located at Balabag, Malay, Aklan.

Some 30 personnel from CENRO Aklan have been transferred to its temporary headquarters at the town hall of Nabas. Immediate concern addressed to is the cons-truction of permanent office, environmental protection of degraded forest cover, mangrove establishment, solid waste management, and wildlife conservation particularly the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park which covers 25,461 hectares. /MP