JOLO, Sulu — The Forest Management Services (FMS) of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) conducted a validation and monitoring on the implementation of the Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program (IBGP) in the Municipality of Banguingui, Jolo, Sulu, particularly at Barangays Tongkil and Parollast 8-13 November 2021.

The FMS, headed by Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, initiated the monitoring activity. Spearheading the validation team was Forester Faisal U. Akmad, CBFM Division Chief. Assisted by PENRE Officer Pao N. Dambong and CENRE Officer Hassan Eting, they validated 250 out of 442 hectares of Mangrove Reforestation implemented in the Province of Sulu.

During the validation, the team found the plantation was well maintained. However, some of the planted propagules are not visible to the camera due to high tide and heavy rain.PENRE Officer Pao N. Dambong assured the public that “the Ministry is willing to target more areas for the continuous implementation of IBGP.”

In addition, the FMS conducted an orientation on the registration of Private Tree Plantation and lumber dealers permit last November 10, 2021, led by Forester Datu Daud Mangalangkat, OIC Division Chief for Regulation, Permitting, and Licensing.

Mangalangkat further discussed and explained the legal basis for tree plantation registration, timber harvesting, and marketing following R.A. 1239, DMC 99-20, MC 97-09, and BARMM-MENRE Memorandum Order No. 07, Series of 2019.

IBGP is a banner program of the Bangsamoro Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod B. Ibrahim through the MENRE led by BARMM Senior Minister and Concurrent Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua. IBGP aims to grow 171.2 million trees covering about 159,000 hectares of forestland within the AOR of BARMM. It also promotes poverty reduction, resources protection and management, productivity enhancement, food security and nutrition normalization process, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.