Thirty eight (38) barangays are subject for validation for the inclusion in the Mindanao Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Project (BSFP),which was recently-launched in Cagayan de Oro City on May 21,2014.

 

Designed to rehabilitate natural habitats, the project strengthens multi-sectoral commitment in the reforestation of Mindanao’s denuded areas.

Minda thru the MindaNow! Nurturing Our Waters Program, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will jointly implement the BSFP to help achieve the National Greening Program’s (NGP) target in Mindanao by 2016.

The project complements the implementation of DILG-DENR Joint Memorandum Circular No.2013-03 that calls for active collaboration of all the government agencies and the local government units in the implementation of Barangay Forest Programs as a component of the NGP.

DENR shall provide funding support to the barangay, technical assistance, and assist in organizing partner local government units.

While the DILG shall organize the barangay local government units, disseminate tree-growing or other related initiatives to local partners and come up a performance incentive scheme. Likewise, Barangay local government units shall implement the BSFP and provide counterpart either by cash or in kind.

Establishment of nurseries, areas for plantation, provision of incentives for top performing communities, livelihood support and project sustainability are the components of the project.

 Out of 200 initial target barangays, region IX has identified 38 for validation. The identified barangays for validation include 12 barangays of Zamboanga del Norte namely: Lower Mahayahay, Marapong, Nebo, Nueva Vista and San Franciso of Sergio Osmenia; Maligaya, Polanco; Balok, Balunokan, Gulbo and Seriak of Siayan; Pisawak, Siocon; and  Pangandao, Manukan.

In Zamboanga del Sur are the 12 barangays namely: Bulanit, Labangan;Poblacion, Lapuyan; Cabatan, Vincenso Sagun; Sto. Nino, Sominot; Cabgan, Tambulig; Poblacion and Abong-abong of Tabina; Balabawan, Pitogo; Baking, Lakewood; and Dipili, Pulang-bato and Deporo of Bayog.

Eight  barangays of Zamboanga Sibugay are also identified such as: Baluno, Naga; Poblacion, Payao; Guinoman and Ditay of Diplahan;Dona Josefa, Ipil; Bulaan and Talairan of Buug.

Barangays Manpang, Victoria and La Paz of Zamboanga City are also included as well as barangays in Isabela City ( Tablawan, Panigayan and MarangMarang).

These barangays are located in perennially flooded-areas, affected by recent typhoons and near critical coastal and riverine systems.

Expectedly, each barangay will establish a minimum of 20 hectares as nursery which will produce 10,000 seedlings as well as tree plantation area of 4,000 hectares.