Editorial

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Reforestation Junks Exotic Trees

Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2011 mandates the DA-DAR-DENR initiative to develop a National Greening Program (NGP) in cooperation with DepEd, CHED, DSWD, DBM, private sector and other stakeholders. NGP targets 1.5 billion indigenous species to be planted on 1.5 million hectares for a period of six (6) years from 2011 to 2016.

The cogent reason is that the Philippines once a big time log and timber exporter has only 24 percent remaining forest cover. It is now suffering from widespread loss of ecosystem areas including biodiversity maintenance, carbon sequestration, watershed protection and local community’s ability to harvest timber and non-timber forest products. 

Actually, the country has eight (8) million hectares of denuded and idle forest lands vulnerable to intense national disasters as flush floods, water shortages, soil erosion, and landslides. A recent study by the Conservation International said that only about four (4) percent of Philippine forests remain as natural habitat for many endemic species. 

For the last four (4) decades, DENR’s approach to reforestation is adoption of exotic species such as gemelina, mahogany and acacia mangium. Extensive areas were developed for these species from Aparri to Jolo on perceived economic and environmental values. At the same time, it is addressed to tackle massive poverty in the countryside. Alas, for like other “imports” such as Taiwan catfish, golden kuhol or golden apple snail, MAWA hybrid coconut, and others have been an exercise in failure and frustration. Definitely, exotic tree species have limited environmental and social benefits. 

The assessments could not be established by any observer since the planted gemelina and mahogany trees have no competitors in sight. Hence, planting of intercrops like bananas, coffee, cacao, ginger is impossible. Various plant parts like leaves, fruits and flowers are laden with toxic compounds and poisonous to insects, birds and mammals. Of course, goats out of starvation are often seen nibbling young leaves and ripe fruits of gemelina but livestock raisers are dismayed. The animals are stunted or become sickly. This breakdown in the food chain is responsible for fast disappearance of birds, lizards, fruit bats and bees. 

The key to restoration is rainforestation or planting of native tree species like Dipterocarps while providing forest-dependent communities with additional sources of livelihood. Recommended indigenous for planting are narra, guijo, kamagong, red and white lawaan, tindalo, yakal, and molave. Altogether, there are 3,600 species of forest trees to choose from. The program is backed by the Rainforest Restoration Initiative, a network of national and international supporters. Rainforestation is a well researched, cost effective and widely applicable method of planting native tree species in order to achieve a wide variety of management objectives which are: production, restoration/protection and urban enhancement. 

Production is applied in areas where timber harvesting and other forms of resource extraction are permitted. Restoration/protection is designed for areas where the objective is to protect or restore the ecosystem. Urban enhancement is adopted to create favorable micro habitat and promote the appreciation of native trees in urban areas. 

Native tree species nurseries could be found in Brgy. Centro Norte, Pandan, Brgy. Aningalan, San Remegio and Brgys. Imparayan and Luna, Sibalon all in the province of Antique. The planting materials available based on latest website are narra, tindalo, molave, salong, and apitong among others. Their prices are very reasonable. 

How do DENR 

Aklan fare in the NGB?

Penro Ivene D. Reyes has a target of 502 hectares in 2011, 1,444 hectares in 2012 and 1,847 hectares in 2013. Aklan has planted 502 hectares, 1,534 hectares and 1,863 hectares respectively or accomplished 103 percent of target. The DENR Aklan is composed of two (2) Forest Districts which are Kalibo, CENRO and Boracay CENRO. 

In its annual report for FY 2012, Kalibo CENRO relied mostly on the cooperation of DepEd teachers and pupils who planted agro-forest trees like jackfruit, lanzones, talisay, acacia. In Madalag and Batan, PO’s and NGO’s planted mangrove trees and narra. In the same period, CENRO Boracay stakeholders like Rotary Club, BFI, PNP, PA, and PN planted acacia, mountain agoho, gogo, Badlan, and narra. 

The 2013 data show a surge in seedling production by Economic Research and Development Services (ERDS) cooperators. A total of 33,640 seedlings of indigenous species and 30,000 seedlings of fruit trees were produced and planted by 16 PO’s (9 for Boracay and 7 for Kalibo). Congratulations and more power! /MP