CABARROGUIS, Quirino, Sept. 19 (PIA) — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu recently approved the implementation and funding of two priority environment protection programs of the province.
The projects include the Quirino Protection of Watersheds, Ecosystems and Rivers or QPOWER with P155 million and the Enhanced National Greening Program with P20 million.
Speaking before thousands of Quirinians during the 46th Quirino Day celebration, Cimatu lauded the initiative of Gov. Junie E. Cua saying he was impressed by the provincial leaders’ progressive mindset that propels greater development for the province.
Cimatu said he plans to make the said programs as model for the country’s forest protection programs.
The QPOWER is a watershed rehabilitation program covering 16 barangays while the Enhanced NGP is a reforestation program covering three barangays with 260 hectares.
The QPOWER project, formerly known as Quirino Forest Protection Program was started last year and the Forest Protection team has already visited 30 barangays for barangay Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP) and hiring of Bantay Gubat or the forest protection officers.
A conservation agreement was likewise forged among the barangay leaders, concerned national and local offices and non-government organizations.
Cimatu thanked the provincial leaders for implementing the watershed rehabilitation programs saying they are very much needed to save the watersheds that give livelihood to the people. | PIA
