Cotabato City—In a move to enhance environmental sustainability, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12, through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Cotabato, has partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The collaboration focuses on the proposed turnover of 2,050 hectares of National Greening Program (NGP) plantation areas.
The turnover plan, discussed in a recent meeting at MENRE’s office in Cotabato City, involves plantations established from 2012 to 2018 across 23 barangays in four municipalities within Cotabato Province. These areas now form part of BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA), in accordance with Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
MENRE Minister Akmad Brahim emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that it reflects a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and improving the well-being of Bangsamoro communities. “This collaboration fosters a greener and more resilient Bangsamoro region,” Brahim remarked.
Engr. Mama G. Samaon, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services of DENR-12, assured DENR’s support for BARMM’s environmental initiatives. “Through close coordination between DENR and MENRE, we are committed to achieving our shared goals for sustainable environmental management,” Samaon stated.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in advancing environmental stewardship within BARMM. It aims to ensure that the reforested areas are managed sustainably, benefiting both present and future generations in the Bangsamoro region.
Key officials present included MENRE Director General Atty. Badr Salendab, PENRO Cotabato Officer Radzak B. Sinarimbo, CENRO Officer Shirley P. Uy, and Forester Mosa Dimaampao, PhD, Chief of PENRO Cotabato’s Technical Services Division, along with other key stakeholders and partners.
The turnover of the NGP plantation areas underscores the DENR and MENRE’s commitment to collaboration, highlighting the vital role of reforestation in fostering ecological balance and strengthening the region’s resilience to environmental challenges.