Print

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu visited DENR Region X and went to Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) - Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon last February 1, 2020.

The Secretary was accompanied by Chief of Staff and Undersecretary for Field Operations, (USEC) Rodolfo C. Garcia and other military comrades.

The party was welcomed by the OIC, Provincial ENR Officer Vergilino P. Alima who presented the profile of Bukidnon. OIC, CENR Officer Virgilio N. Batocail also presented the executive overview of CENRO Manolo Fortich to the Secretary.

Secretary Cimatu expressed his overwhelming appreciation to DENR personnel in Bukidnon for being in full support of his visit.

Secretary Cimatu called to accelerate the issuance of Free Patents of Alienable and Disposable lands. With regard to the Bukidnon Forest Incorporated (BFI), he instructed OIC, PENRO Alima, also the concurrent BFI General Manager, to pay the outstanding unpaid salaries of the BFI employees and start planting bamboo species both in BFI and National Greening Program (NGP) areas.

Secretary Cimatu also cited few distinctive factors causing plantation’s low survival rate and strictly instructed not to start NGP if the source of water is not assured.

“I am not after the number of hectares planted, I am after the number of trees that will survive”, Secretary Cimatu said.

He commended the Province of Bukidnon for being one among the provinces who have the highest survival rate in ENGP and likewise the top contributor of the country’s forest cover. He encouraged the people of Bukidnon to upkeep the record.

Secretary Cimatu also acknowledged all the job order employees. He challenged them to learn thoroughly the laws implemented by the Department and promised security of career to those with civil service eligibility.

Also present during the welcome program were DENR Regional Executive Director Arleigh Adorable, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Alrich Resma, PENR Officer Vergilino Alima of Bukidnon, PENR Officer Ferdinand Dagulo of Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon CENR Officers Ferddie Sususco, Felicisimo Escuadro, Jr., and Arnulfo Osio of Valencia City, Don Carlos, and Talakag, respectively.

Secretary Cimatu is the first DENR Secretary to visit CENRO Manolo Fortich. #TayoAngKalikasan (Aleth Lou Ibañes/Ana Mae Sumalinog) RPAO MR No. 02-055-2020