UMINGAN, Pangasinan – Fifty beneficiaries of the Abig Pangasinan — Karagdagang Pangkabuhayan (Cash for Work) for Adopt-a-Mountain Project cleared the grasses and planted seedlings in the newly 50-hectares of land in Brgy. Calitlitan Umingan on December 12.
The Adopt-a-Mountain Project was launched in 2017 by Governor Amado I. Espino III in support to National Greening Program (NGP) of the national government which is aimed at enhancing forestlands.
“Utos ng ating mahal na Governor na magtanim, palaguin, palakihin para sa bandang huli ay mapakinabangan ng mga nandito na nakapaligid na komunidad,” stated Pangasinan Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Chief Nathaniel I. Pulido during the send-off ceremony of the beneficiaries.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO) Rhodyn Luchinvar O. Oro who represented Gov. Espino stressed that the tree growing activity is a big help for the disaster preparedness of the province.
“Isa sa pamamaraan po para kahit paano maibsan iyong epekto ng malalakas na bagyo at matinding baha ay iyong pangangalaga natin sa ating kalikasan sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim ng punong-kahoy dahil hindi lamang ito magbibigay ng seguridad sa atin sa larangan ng disaster o anumang kalamidad, ito rin ay kabuhayan para sa atin,” said Oro.
The beneficiaries of Cash for work will clear the site and plant seedlings for three days in which each will receive P400 cash a day.
It can be noted that the Provincial Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the newly-added hectares of land in Umingan and Bugallon. /Diane A. Tinambacan