LAOAG CITY — Over the past three years, the cash-for-work on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CFW-CCAM) has reforested and protected at least 4,500 hectares of forest lands in Ilocos Norte.
CFW-CCAM has preserved rivers, riverbanks, coastline barangays and provided temporary jobs in partnership with Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).
Aside from continuous tree planting, ‘kaingin’ or burning of trees for charcoal making, has ceased in many parts of the areas where assigned Barangay Ranger Officers have maintained and protected seedlings planted through CFW-CCAM and guarded the mountains from any grass fire or man-made fires.
In Saguigui, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Tribal Chieftain Emiliano Rabago is maintaining at least four hectares of forest land planted with fruit-bearing trees and coffee.
During CFW activities, everyone in the community participates to include the elderly and youth who are very thankful of the 10-day work especially during lean months wherein they have no source of income at all.
In here, 60,000 coffee seedlings are maintained ready for planting to other open and devastated lands in Ilocos Norte through its greening program.
Twelve areas are part of the Greening Program through CFW-CCAM, including Laoag City, Solsona, Dingras, Badoc, Bangui, Pagudpud, Pasuquin, Vintar, Nueva Era, Pinili, Burgos, and Bacarra.
Mangrove planting program along the coastlines and other bodies of water in Ilocos Norte was intensified through the CFW-CCAM.
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte is hopeful that if their projects are sustained, many families and communities will be protected from extreme weather event, such as storm winds and floods, storm surges, and tsunamis particularly in Laoag City, Badoc, Currimao, and Pasuquin.
Mangato river in Laoag City used to be filled with wastes and water lilies especially during high tide.
After the mangrove and nipa palm planting funded by CFW-CCAM, the area is now beautiful scenery and is hoped to be developed as an eco-tourism park.
On the Green Wall of Ilocos Norte and PENRO’s greening program, the seedlings required are provided by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte as a counterpart for the program.
PENRO head Estrella Sacro underscored the importance of maintaining the progress of CFW-CCAM projects towards proper management and conservation of the environment through local greening initiatives. (PNA)
