President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration is stepping up watershed restoration, reforestation, and forest protection efforts nationwide to secure water resources and prepare for El Niño, a Malacañang official said Monday.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba at panawagan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na ipatupad ang whole-of-government approach sa pagsalag sa epekto ng El Niño, sa pangunguna ni Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, nagpapatupad ang DENR ng mas pinaigting na pagbabantay sa mga kagubatan at targeted reforestation sa mga lugar na may watershed,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
Castro said the DENR is carrying out reforestation activities in critical watershed areas in Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales in Central Luzon.
In Masbate, the agency is working with local government units (LGUs) and partner organizations to plant more than 16,750 indigenous and mangrove seedlings across the province, the Palace official added.
“Sa Mindanao ay nakatutok ang DENR sa pagbabalik-sigla ng mga napinsalang ecosystem sa tulong ng rehabilitation ng fire-affected peatlands, riverbanks, and protected areas sa Caraga Region,” said Castro.
The DENR has also intensified patrols against illegal logging in the Davao Region to prevent further forest degradation, according to Castro.
The agency is also coordinating with local partners to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Panigan-Tamugan Sub-Watershed to help ensure a sustainable water supply for Davao City.
“Ilan lamang ito sa mga long-term efforts ng pamahalaan upang patatagin ang mga ecosystem sa bansa at pagtibayin ang ating water security bilang paghahanda sa pagbabalik ng El Niño,” Castro said.
“Tinitiyak naman ng DENR na patuloy itong makikipagtulungan sa mga komunidad at local partners para protektahan ang ating mga watershed at kagubatan,” she added. | PND
Philippine Information Agency, PR
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