Tacloban City (March 7) -- A ten-hectare nipa plantation will soon rise at the two barangays of Ormoc City in the province of Leyte, thanks to the funding support coming from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The project will be implemented by the people's organization called Naungan-San Juan Mangrove Planters Association organized through the Community Based Forest Management Program of the DENR, Ms. MG Sugcang, Information Officer of DENR reported.

DENR Regional Executive Director Alfredo Pascual said that the establishment of a nipa plantation in the barangays of Naungan and San Juan aims to bring back the ecological stability of the mangrove resources as the site is the habitat and breeding area of diverse marine flora and faunal species.

Director Pascual added that the Nipa Plantation Project is expected to bring about not only environmental benefit but also economic benefits to the members of the implementing People's Organization and the communities in Naungan and San Juan.

The project, Director Pascual said, shall provide a breeding ground and habitat for marine resources and will consequently redound to increased catch of fish and other marine products and finally boost the economic situation of fisherfolk in the area.

Director Pascual recalled that even before the 1991 Ormoc flood, the mangroves in the area were already denuded. Rehabilitation of these mangrove areas became an utmost importance because of the dependence of the nearby communities on mangrove resources for their livelihood which put excessive pressure on the little that was left of these resources.

This was the reason why the CBFM Program was introduced to the affected communities of Naungan and San Juan.

Victoriana Entero, President of the People's Organization, is optimistic that the implementation of the Nipa Plantation Project will also provide the needed materials to boost the Association's nipa shingles production and will ultimately increase the income of the members.

Ms. Entero expressed her gratitude to the DENR for proving the much-needed financial assistance of about P300,000. that will finance the various activities in the Nipa Plantation. Among these activities include procurement of planting materials; plantation establishment; maintenance and protection; nipa shingles production; and enhancement training on skills related to nipa shingles production.

RED Pascual disclosed that the Naungan-San Juan Mangrove Planters Association has a successful track record, reforesting 191-hectare project site with mangrove.

He expressed hope that the financial assistance provided by DENR through the Community Based Forest Management Program on the Nipa Plantation Project that will run from January to November of 2008, will go a long way towards improving the economic situation of the PO partners. (PIA 8)