The Massive Tree Planting and Greenbelt-Buy Back Program
is an effort of the local government of the Municipality
of Quezon, Bukidnon to respond to the rapid degradation
of the uplands resulting in the siltation of the Pulangi
Riven Basin. The river is the source of hydroelectric power
and water for the irrigation of farmlands. The program was
implemented in 1992 with the incumbent Vice-Mayor as its
main advocate.
To achieve its objective of massive reforestation,
the municipality encourages all sectors to plan any species
of tree anywhere – idle lands, school campuses, backyards,
and public lands, specially along sloping areas, creeks,
streams and rivers. During barangay assemblies, those interested
to plant trees are informed about the program and the incentives
they can obtain for doing so. The municipal government provides
seedlings to interested individuals, but anyone who wants
to join the program must first register with the municipal
government. To ensure the success of the program, the LGU
supervises and monitors the tree planting activity. Three
years after the trees are planted, those who planted them
receive their pay incentives. The amount of incentive depends
on the number of trees that survived, their height (at least
three meters for fast growing species), and the type of
land in which they are planted (whether privately owned
of forested/public lands). Those tree planters do not lose
the ownership over them; they can harvest the fruits of
their trees and market them.
The program, which started with the simple cause
of rehabilitating the forest, has responded to two goals:
environmental and economic. This is now seen among the beneficiaries
who are reaping the fruits of the program. In 1996, the
LGU paid P496,461 to the first 57 claimants as incentive
for the trees they planted that survived. Those who have
already harvested mature trees have earned as much as P200,000
and not less than P15,000. Households that have received
incentives have used these as capital investments to put
up small businesses to improve school facilities and extend
assistance to poor students. A cooperative among tree planters
has been formed with the NGOs, church groups, and business
sector participating in the whole process of the program
from planning to evaluation. The program continues to attract
interest. Three hundred individuals registered to plant
trees in 2000.
In terms of its environmental goals, the program
has already met its objective of rehabilitating the denuded
forest of Quezon, Bukidnon. Thousands of hectares of land
are now covered with greenery and the once dried-up riverbed
is now flowing with water.
