Contractors of flood control projects will be required to undertake mandatory tree planting activity as part of the project’s program of work pursuant to an order of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
An initial 199,000 tree seedlings will be planted in Catanduanes by the flood control contractors in 2023 based on Department Order No. 238 that is aimed at implementing an Environmental Sustainability Program for its flood control projects.
Under the order issued on Nov. 21, 2022 by Sec. Manuel M. Bonoan, all implementing offices are required to plant 1,000 seedlings or trees for contracts with at least P5 million contract amount and an additional 1,000 seedlings or trees for every additional P5 million contract amount.
According to the DPWH’s 2023 budget for Catanduanes, a total of P995 million has been allotted for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems.
The flood control projects to be implemented by the DPWH regional office are in Batong Paloway, San Andres with P120 million; Pajo River in Virac, P170 million; Binagasbasan, Paraiso, San Miguel, P200 million; Hitoma River in Caramoran, P400 million.
Another P105 million for similar projects is included in the DPWH Catanduanes District Engineering Office’s budget next year.
In the entire Bicol region, a total of 3.8 million tree seedlings will be planted by contractors as the DPWH has allotted about P19 billion worth of flood control projects for 2023.
The cost of the tree planting will be incorporated in the Program of Work of every flood control project, with the expense roughly equivalent to about 1.5 percent of the total project cost.
It will include the replacement of seedlings which die ahead of the one-year period before the trees are turned over to the local government unit concerned.
The move is aimed at strengthening compliance with the National Greening Program, promoting environmental sustainability and as part of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Program of the department.
It also seeks to encourage all stakeholders to participate in sustainable and environment-friendly infrastructure projects and support the reforestation program of the national government.
The mandate is also in addition to the Tree Replacement Program required by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in which infrastructure agencies are obligated to replace trees felled during the implementation of projects.
He added that the areas where the tree planting will be undertaken will be identified by the implementing office in coordination with the Local Government Unit and the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) or Provincial ENRO.
Such areas may include open, degraded and denuded forestlands; protected areas and mangroves; ancestral domain lands; civil and military reservations; urban areas under the greening plan of LGUs; inactive and abandoned mine sites; or any other suitable areas as may be determined by the DENR CENRO or PENRO.
The tree species to be planted, along with the appropriate planting method, shall be made in coordination with the DENR, the memo stated, with the trees planted to be turned over by the DPWH to the LGU concerned for maintenance, protection and conservation.