Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Gina Lopez earmarked P44.2 million for a tree-planting program which will be implemented in various Bohol towns, said a local DENR official.

According to provincial environment officer Nestor Canda, P36.2 million and P7.9 million were allocated to the planting of mangrove and bamboo, respectively.

The mangrove seeds will be spread across 1,500 hectares of land while the bamboo trees will be planted in a total land space of 500 ha.

Canda said that mangrove will be planted in the towns of Buenavista, Getafe, Talibon, and Bien Unido while bamboo trees will be planted in towns included in the Carood Watershed.

These towns are Ubay, Alicia, Mabini, Candijay, Pilar, Guindulman and Anda.

Canda said that 46 people’s organizations are expected to help in planting the thousands of mangrove and bamboo trees.

The local DENR official also noted that Lopez highlighted the need for bamboo supply in the province after she conducted an aerial inspection over Bohol when she visited the province in November.

He said that the proposal for the allocation has already been readied and it only needs Lopez’s formal approval.

Should the initiative be implemented, it will be Lopez’s first major project under the Duterte administration. (Rey Tutas)