Manila: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to plant 1.2 million trees over the next five years to support watersheds and other key areas surrounding the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
According to Philippines News Agency, DOTr Assistant Secretary IC Calaguas announced that the NSCR Greening Program has a budget of PHP14 million, designated for purchasing seedlings and maintaining the plants for five years. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to implement climate protection measures in zones affected by major transport developments.
The greening program encompasses activities such as procuring and delivering seedlings, establishing plantations, maintaining and safeguarding the areas, conducting validation activities, and overseeing project management and supervision. In July, DOTr acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez approved the planting of 690,000 trees in the watersheds of Pampanga and Cavite.
Lopez stated, "Magtatanim tayo ng mga puno bilang kapalit ng naputol na mga puno bunga ng pagtatayo ng mga naturang proyekto (We will plant trees to replace those we cut as part of our projects)." Under a tree-cutting permit granted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the NSCR Calamba Extension Project, the DOTr is required to carry out a greening program.
One of the designated sites for tree planting is the 546-hectare Barangay Sapangbato at the Sapangbato Watershed, vital for flood prevention and providing clean water to Angeles City, Pampanga. The DOTr will also plant seedlings at the Sacobia Watershed, the principal watershed in the Pampanga province.
Thus far, the DOTr has planted 300,000 trees in Barangay Ayala and Barangay Turu in Magalang, Pampanga, in collaboration with organizations such as the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Mataas na Lupa, Inc. and La Paz Turu Upland Farmers Association.
Additionally, the Asian Development Bank agreed on Monday to provide a partial credit guarantee (PCG) of up to USD800 million to operators of the NSCR project at the request of the Philippine government. The PCG aims to ensure the NSCR's sustainable and efficient operations, encourage bidder participation, enhance competition, and bolster the project's financial viability.
