DENR BACKS BAMBOO FOREST DEV'T PROJECT IN BULACAN. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) joined other national government agencies and local government units in Bulacan in supporting the bamboo forest development project in Norzagaray town.

 

Bulacan 6th District Representative Salvador Pleyto, Sr. initiated the project, noting that this would benefit local communities, including indigenous people, by generating livelihood, providing water security and mitigating threats of climate change.

 

For his part, DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. expressed his support and welcomed this initiative as a supplemental activity to strengthen government’s efforts in reforesting areas under the National Greening Program (NGP), and stabilizing river banks and recovering easements in Manila Bay areas in Central Luzon.

 

“Aside from its ecological significance, a strong Philippine bamboo industry focusing on sustainable development can contribute to our country’s resiliency and recovery,” Moreno said.

 

The DENR has established more than 20,000 hectares of bamboo plantations under the NGP, while 36,245 bamboos have been planted in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija as part of the rehabilitation efforts of Manila Bay. (-30-)