ALABEL, Sarangani (March 10, 2023) – Sarangani Province’s Reforestation Development Plan (RDP) is “almost 90% finished,” said Rolando Tuballes, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO).

The RDP is a 9-year plan that is primarily focused on improving the water security of Sarangani, and targets to increase the province’s forest cover in order to sustain the water resources of the province.

It is anchored on the Provincial Integrated Water Security Management Plan and the One Million Trees Project of Governor Rogelio D. Pacquiao.

Tuballes recognized and thanked the efforts of everyone involved in the crafting of the plan, including the partner stakeholders, especially the Municipal ENROs of the seven municipalities, and the assistance of the USAID Safe Water Project.

On March 8, the PENRO and the USAID presented to the technical working group, the draft of the plan to further consolidate all the contributions of partner agencies and make other necessary adjustments.

It was on January 30 to February 1 when the Sarangani RDP Formulation Workshop was held at General Santos City where the DENR, Provincial, Municipal, and City ENROs, and other partner stakeholders participated in the crafting of the RDP.

Now nearing its completion, the accomplished RDP is targeted to be presented before the Provincial Development Council (PDC) for its approval, and for the council to adopt and endorse the plan to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for funding.

Tuballes also recalled how Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix Alicer of DENR 12 commended Sarangani’s RDP as “the only Local Government Unit-led RDP in the region. This is also the first time in the making that an LGU formulated an intensive RDP,” he said.

In the plan, Tuballes said that in 10 years, the province aims to plant and grow 1.9 million trees, which is 2,800 hectares of forest cover.

He disclosed that as of now, the province has already 100,000 coffee seedlings set for those interested agencies who want to be involved in this endeavor.

“Through this, we will continue to increase the level of awareness of the people of Sarangani in terms of environmental management, especially itong mga endeavors na ginagawa natin,” he added.

“The RDP is an urgent call for the rehabilitation and restoration of our ecosystem in the province,” Tuballes said. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 Mosler Paul Lapore