Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Southern Luzon and Regional Executive Director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IV-A Gilbert C. Gonzales met with the Regional Office key Officials of DENR Bicol including Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Albay Imelda D. Baltazar on January 9, 2020 at the Hamada Hall, DENR Regional Office, Rawis, Legazpi City.

OIC Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services, Atty. Ronnel C. Sopsop presented the 2020 Work and Financial (WFP) of the National Greening Program (NGP) and the Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal/Assessment (RLTA) Program of the Department.

Meanwhile, in his message, ASec Gonzales said they were given instructions to closely monitor the NGP activities in their areas of jurisdiction. “I want to contribute in these monitoring activities, not only to help increase the survival rate of the seedlings in the plantation sites, but also to minimize the losses,” Asec Gonzales said. The NGP is the government’s biggest reforestation program which was launched in 2011 was aimed at increasing the forest cover of the Philippines. However, with the recent findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the supposed failure of the NGP, ASEC Gonzales said that the Department will always be responsive in taking the necessary actions to address said findings. He mentioned that new techniques and mechanisms should be considered to minimize the losses incurred.

On the other hand, DENR Bicol OIC, Regional Executive Director Atty. Gil A. Aromin said that factors affecting the low survival rate of the seedlings planted in the various plantation sites in Bicol should be taken into account, considering that Bicol is always affected by typhoons all year round. However, RED Aromin is hopeful that with the guidance of the DENR management, the NGP and all other programs of the Department will be delivered and accomplished.

Furthermore, OIC, RED Aromin expressed his gratitude to the ASec’s willingness and commitment to oversee the programs of the Department here in Bicol.*DJJ