By Emmanuel P. Solis
LEGAZPI CITY, March 13 (PNA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol regional office is preparing an upland area in Oas, Albay, for its Balik-Probinsya Program.
DENR Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales said Thursday that the program is one of the priorities of the government anchored on the implementation of the National Greening Program and under the framework of National Convergence Initiative.
“It aims to pursue sustainable development on food security, poverty alleviation, livelihood, biodiversity conservation, resource protection, rehabilitation and environmental development,” Gonzales said.
The project is located in the villages of Nagas, Tapel and Cagmanaba in Oas town and covers a total area of 2,000 hectares.
A people’s organization, the Cagmanaba Coastal and Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (CCUFAI) — headed by its president, Eliseo Rivera, has been awarded the site preparation and planting of various species in the area like narra, gmelina, mahogany, pili, cacao, coffee and other indigenous species.
The CCUFAI is also in charge of protection and maintenance of the area.
Gonzales said the Provincial Technical Working Group of the National Convergence Initiative has been conducting meetings focusing on site development, particularly the resettlement area.
He said the Department of Public Works and Highways has made the plan for a proposed access road and its cost estimates while the Department of Health has identified the source of water and conducted sanitary survey for potable drinking water.
The DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau has already made a geo-hazard survey of the area.
The DENR official said that soon the area will be an ideal resettlement for Bicolanos now residing in Metro Manila who would like to avail of the Balik-Probinsya Program of the national government for a better life in their home region.
“This will especially be true to either informal settlers or those living in high-risk zones in Metro Manila to decongest the capital region by relocating families to safer areas where they can live a better life,” he added.(PNA)