The Iloilo Provincial Government is ramping up its environmental programs and initiatives to achieve a “Forest Province” status by 2044, with a climate-resilient ecosystem and sustainable food production.
During the kickoff of the 3rd Provincial Environmental Awareness Month Celebration on November 4, 2024, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the launching of his flagship programs Tanum Iloilo for MoRProGRes, Balik Alat 2.0, and Project Liso aimed at preserving our natural resources through a community-based and multisectoral approach.
Tanum Iloilo for MoRProGRes is a tree growing and forest development strategies which involves the reforestation of forest land and watershed areas; development of integrated social forest project as a resource base for food security and tourism; and engaging the public and private stakeholders to optimize tree growing and forest development activities at home, in schools, offices, municipalities, public plazas, highways, and commercial areas, among others.
The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office also unveiled the 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐦 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐑𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐆𝐑𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟒 which targets Iloilo as a forest province with a climate-resilient ecosystem and sustainable food production.
Being a 'Forest Province' means having an improved and well-managed ecosystem characterized by an improved land, air and water quality; improved water sources; conserved biodiversity; sustainable food production; boosted tourism (Turista sa Barangay); and developed and rehabilitated green spaces.
“We want Iloilo to be a forest province, not only by declaration but in the most concrete and practical results and targets together with our partners and stakeholders,” Governor Defensor said.
Defensor stressed that the primary target of Tanum Iloilo for MoRProGRes is to boost the province’s forest cover through data-based implementation. Data from the PGENRO states that Iloilo’s forest cover averages at 12 percent.
A MoRProGRes Forest Map will be established to help the province track the recovery progress of its tree growing activities in the primary and secondary forest areas.
“It is important that we recover our forest. And we want to recover that with you. We have started that already and the solution is continuous tree growing activities,” the governor said.
Initial programs have already been implemented by the provincial government to increase the province’s actual forest cover. Under its “Tanum Iloilo” province-wide tree growing program established in 2020, the provincial government has already planted a total of 8,391,587 seedlings as of October 2024, with a 44.42 percent survival rate. The province also consistently reaches its annual target of 1.5 million seedlings planted.
Meanwhile, the Balik Alat 2.0 program aims to eliminate single-use plastic by reviving the use of environment-friendly handwoven baskets.
While Project Liso (Locally Intensified Seeds/Seedlings Collection One4TanumIloilo) is designed to instill behavioral change and self-consciousness on the production of native/endemic forest, fruit, and flowering trees.
PGENRO chief Atty. Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco, Jr. said the programs launched by the provincial government "are designed to empower the communities to actively participate in the stewardship of our natural resources."
The kickoff activity at the Capitol lobby was attended by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, DepEd Iloilo Superintendent Ernesto Servillon Jr.,DENR VI Conservation and Development Division OIC-Chief Dr. Emelyn Peñaranda, DILG Iloilo Cluster Head Jean Guistadio, CRS-IWARI Program Manager Arice Chua, Sara Mayor Jon Aying, Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debue, and the municipal environment and natural resources officers, among others.
(Capitol News)
