ILOILO City – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) is eyeing a 400-hectare area as an Ecological Park in Tapaz, Capiz province.
DENR-6 Regional Director Jim Sampulna said that the proposed site is for the Sustainable Integrated Area and Development (SIAD), a program framework that is designed to curb rural poverty and promote green economy.
DENR-Capiz, headed by Valentin Talabero, recently conducted an ocular inspection in four villages.
“Part of the initiative is to improve the ecosystem by enrichment planting of indigenous forest tree species. A sustainable agriculture farming system will be established through contouring and planting of high-valued crops and fruit trees,” said Sampulna.
A bamboo plantation is also being planned in the area as part of DENR’s expansion for the National Greening Program.
The DENR will partner with the local government of Tapaz town in implementing the project that also aims to be an eco-friendly tourist spot.
Meanwhile, DENR-6 is urging for a passage of a municipal ordinance to ensure the cooperation of community leaders in the implementation of SIAD.
Meantime, the pilot Eco-park located at Barangay Bolog in Kiangan, Ifugao is now completed and ready to serve its purposes.
The project costing P314, 500 is a joint endeavor between the barangay constituents, the personnel of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education and their learners and the municipal government of Kiangan through its Ecological Solid Waste Management Program (ESWMP) fund. (Tara Yap, with a report from PIA)
