08/04/2026
๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ, ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ, ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ-๐๐ง-๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga formalized another partnership with mining companies and peopleโs organizations through the signing of Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) for the Adopt-A-National Greening Program (NGP) projects and the establishment of mini-forest nurseries on April 7, 2026, at the PENRO Agusan del Norte Conference Hall in Tiniwisan, Butuan City.
The agreements cover the establishment of forest nurseries and the development of 200 hectares of NGP plantation sites in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
Under the first MOA, the Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) committed to construct a mini-forest nursery within the premises of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Nasipit. The project, amounting to PhP1,925,100, represents the production of 160,425 seedlings and forms part of the companyโs initial compliance under STCEP No. RXIII-12-2025.
In another MOA, Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) will establish a forest nursery at CENRO Tubay, Agusan del Norte, with a total project cost of PhP2.6 million as part of its compliance under STCEP No. RXIII-04-2024.
In addition, TMC will finance the development of two 100-hectare plantation sites under the Adopt-An-NGP project. In Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, a total of 100 hectares will be developed under CENRO Tubay, consisting of 60 hectares of indigenous tree species and 40 hectares of coffee, to be implemented by the Manhon Agriculture Cooperative (MACO)-PO led by its Chairperson Heracleo Asares.
Another 100-hectare site will be established in Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City, under CENRO Bayugan, composed of 60 hectares of indigenous tree species and 40 hectares of fruit trees. PO-Mt. Bulawan Agro-Forestry Planters Association (MBAPA), headed by Chairperson Eddie D. Sag-od, will implement the project.
The projects will be carried out over a period of three years, covering Seedling production, plantation establishment or site development, maintenance, and protection, in coordination with the concerned CENR Offices and partner organizations.
The agreements provide for the creation of a technical working group that will oversee project implementation, site assessment, and validation, ensuring that the project implementation is in accordance with the agreements.
Signatories to the MOAs included DENR Caraga OIC-Regional Executive Director Maritess M. Ocampo, PGMC Vice-President for Operations Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan, TMC Vice-President and Resident Mine Manager (RMM), Artenio E. Valeroso, MACO Chairperson, Heracleo Asares, and MBAPA Chairperson Eddie D. Sag-od.
In her message, RED Ocampo acknowledged the TMC and the PGMC for fulfilling the terms of the tree replacement in the STCEPs issued in the course of their operations, which also benefited the peopleโs organizations involved in NGP. She also urged the POs to take care of the project entrusted to them, which she described as โone of a lifetimeโ opportunity.
Meanwhile, the representatives of the mining companies have expressed their gratitude to the DENR Caraga for facilitating their compliance with the terms of the STCEPs issued to them. PGMC Vice-President for Operations Engr. Odtojan and TMC Vice-President/RMM Valeroso have committed to ensuring their compliance with the agreement.
The POs, through their chairpersons, have likewise shown their appreciation for being chosen as recipients of the project. PO-MBAPA Chairperson Sag-od said that they will not only seize the opportunity given to them through the project but also treasure it and ensure its proper implementation within their Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) area, as they will benefit from it and the next generation.
Witnesses to the signing were Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services, Atty. Redemtor A. Oja, Agusan del Norte OIC-PENRO Fe C. Dacumos, PENRO Agusan del Sur Caretaker Jerome H. Albia, CENRO Sarah P. Parejo of Bayugan City, CENRO Ruel E. Efren of Tubod in Surigao del Norte, CENRO Nelson B. Caranzo of Nasipit, and CENRO Roel O. Ladaga of Tubay for the DENR; Environment Department Manager and Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Officer Diana M. Zaportiza for TMC; and City ENRO Engr. Alex A. Curios of LGU-Bayugan City.
Before the MOA signing, RED Ocampo, together with TMC Vice-President and Resident Mine Manager Artemio E. Valeroso, OIC-PENRO Dacumos, and the CENR Officers and other officials present, conducted the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the State-of-the-Art Mini Forest Nursery at the PENRO Agusan del Norte grounds as a result of the partnership forged by DENR Caraga and TMC early this year.
In her closing, OIC-PENRO Dacumos thanked the mining companies and RED Ocampo for their support toward the attainment of their long-time ambitionโthe State-of-the-Art Forest Nursery, which will cater not only to the officeโs seedling requirements but also those who are requesting seedlings for tree planting activities of agencies, LGUs, and other groups who are bent on regreening the environment.
The ENGP Regional Operations Center, headed by its Focal Person DMO V Luis P. Gonzaga and PENRO Agusan del Norte, facilitated the activities. # #
