DENR To Spearhead Liguasan Marsh Rehab

A 1,000-hectare marshland in conflict-ridden Liguasan Marsh In Maguindanao will be planted with bamboo through the government's National Greening Program (NGP) in hopes that it will foster peace in the community.

The initiative will be carried out under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD).

The project launched by DENR Secretary Gina Lopez is a one-of-a-kind partnership with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), military, Radjah Buayan town, Maguindanao provincial government, and their communities.

DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) Director Henry Adornado said "the development of 1,000 hectares in Radjah Buayan is part of the Department's endeavor to develop one million hectares of bamboo nationwide."

Adornado was appointed overall coordinator of SIAD under which a one-hectare nursery for bamboo will be put up.

"Bamboo was chosen because of its economic, ecological environmental contributions and its potential to provide sustainable benefit to the farmers," he said.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between Lopez and DENR-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Secretary Hadji Kahal Kedtag.