The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation, and the Community-Based Forest Management-Peoples Organization (CBFM-PO) Management of Mountains and Association of Tree Farmers (MAMATFA) Inc. entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the Adopt-a-National Greening Project (NGP) Site in line with the Project Transform or Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability thru Multi-stakeholder Engagement on September 22, 2023.

DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo and ARD for Technical Services Maritess M. Ocampo, together with the THPAL Technical Manager Mark Ian Espiritu and CBFM-PO MAMATFA Chairperson Matrinilo Lucida, signed the agreement in a simple ceremony held in Barangay Pili, Malimono, Surigao del Norte.

As outlined in the agreement, the DENR will be responsible for assisting the CBFM-PO in the development and rehabilitation activities within the CBFMA area as indicated in their Community Resource Management Framework and Five-Year Work Plan; conduct a joint site assessment of the area with the THPAL and the PO in survey, mapping, and planning; closely monitor and evaluate the subsequent site preparation, planting, replanting, maintenance, and protection activities of the PO; assist the PO in the preparation and submission of accomplishment reports on these activities supported with geotagged photos and maps; and validate the Statement of Work Accomplishment (SWA) as reported by the PO; and submit validation report and validated SWA to the THPAL.

The THPAL, on the other hand, committed to submit a Work and Financial Plan to be checked and reviewed by the DENR and concurred in by the PO and once approved shall form part of the agreement; attend and assist in the monitoring of the Project as scheduled by the DENR; release the fund stipulated in the approved WFP to the PO through progress billing, which shall be utilized in the implementation of the Project, including but not limited to the purchase of the seedlings; create a Project Management Team which shall conduct a joint validation and monitoring with the DENR on the accomplishments of the PO in the development and rehabilitation including the maintenance and protection activities in accordance with the approved WFP as a requirement for the release of corresponding payments directly made to the PO; and consolidate validated SWA and submit an annual report to the DENR on the status of the Project with geotagged photos and maps.

Meanwhile, the tri-partite agreement specified that the CBFM-PO MAMATFA shall undertake the rehabilitation and development of the 53-ha area identified by the DENR for this Adopt-an-NGP Site scheme for a period of three (3) years in accordance with the approved WFP; undertake the continuous maintenance and protection of the same for the period covered under the existing CBFMA to ensure its sustainability and management; provide the required seedlings for the implementation of the Project;  properly indicate in CRMF and 5-yearWork Plan the area rehabilitated and developed within their CBFMA area with the assistance of the concerned Community Environment and Natural Resources Office and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office; submit to the THPAL a SWA in accordance with the approved WFP; Submit to the THPAL, copy furnished to the First Party the required billing documents; ensure that the net income derived from the Project will be distributed/shared equally among the members who actively participated in the accomplishment of the Project, and submit a resolution on the benefit sharing scheme of all the members as proof, thereof; maintain an account to which the funds shall be deposited by the THPAL for purpose of record; provide such other support as may be available to ensure the success of the undertaking; and anti-bribery.

OIC, ARD for Technical Services Maritess M. Ocampo, MEPEO Section Manager Alex C. Canonoy of THPAL Nickel Corporation, and Mrs. Magnita Labrador, MAMATFA representative, witnessed the MOA signing.

In his message during the program, RED Tamayo expressed his gratitude to the THPAL management for adopting the area, as the scheme not only means rehabilitation of the damaged NGP site but also provides livelihood to the PO.  He also encouraged the PO to ensure the project's proper implementation based on the WFP for their benefit and that of the community. He also thanked the DENR team led by PENR Officer Agapito T. Patubo and CENRO Ruel E. Efren of Tubod for facilitating the activity.

After the MOA signing, the parties involved exemplified their commitment to environmental rehabilitation by affixing their signatures to the commitment wall and ceremonial tree planting within the identified CBFMA area, where a total of 75 participants actively joined the activity. The participants were personnel of the DENR-Regional Office, PENRO-Surigao del Norte, CENRO-Tubod, representatives from THPAL Nickel Corporation, LGU-Surigao City, and PO-MAMATFA.

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 03 October 2023