The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. (JVOFI) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the restoration and rehabilitation of mangroves that were severely affected in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte by Typhoon Odette in December 2021.

The JVOFI will provide PHP10 million to cover the cost of restoration and rehabilitation of storm-damaged mangroves, particularly in the municipalities of Del Carmen, Dapa, General Luna, San Benito, and Socorro in Surigao del Norte and for the implementation of solid waste management activities in the island, according to a news release on Saturday.

In 2019, the Del Carmen mangrove site was awarded the Para El Mar Best Mangrove Award in the Philippines by the Marine Protected Areas Support Network.

DENR-Region 13 (Caraga), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Surigao del Norte, and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Dapa will serve as project implementers.

They will conduct the identification and delineation of the 143-hectare mangrove site and determine the mode of plantation establishment, protection, and maintenance.

In the MOA signing on March 15, DENR Acting Secretary Jim Sampulna and JVOFI president Reinaldo Bautista Jr. agreed to conduct a three-year post-disaster restoration and rehabilitation.

Typhoon Odette ravaged agriculture, infrastructure, and environment on the island and damaged the mangroves planted through the National Greening Program.

“The partnership recognizes the importance of addressing climate change and the sense of urgency to act now. We need our mangroves more than ever,” Sampulna said.

Bautista said it was “the beginning of our continuing partnership”.

The signing at the DENR central office in Quezon City was attended by DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones, DENR-Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Service Assistant Director Maria Sabrina Cruz, Project Preparation Division Chief Conrado Bravante Jr., Region 13 Executive Director Nonito Tamayo, Environmental Management Bureau-Region 13 Director Albert Arcamo, JVOFI executive director Ma. Rosario Lopez, and Surigao del Norte PENRO Alejandra Boiser.

JVOFI is a non-governmental organization that ensures the promotion of conservation, protection and rational management, and utilization of critical ecological resources in the country. (PNA)