Four mining companies operating in Region 2 have invested a combined total of PHP 67.3 million in reforestation efforts that have led to the establishment of over 2,000 hectares of forest plantations across Cagayan Valley, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
As reported by the Manila Times, DENR Region 2 Director Gwendolyn Bambalan confirmed the joint project and praised the companies for aligning their operations with the government’s reforestation goals. The mining firms involved are OceanaGold Philippines Inc., which runs the Didipio Mine in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya; FCF Minerals Corp., operator of the Runruno Gold Project in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya; Dinapigue Mining Corp., based in Isabela; and JDVC Resources Corp., with operations in the coastal towns of Cagayan province.
The program has resulted in the successful replanting of 2,056 hectares of degraded land, thus transforming portions of the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya into forested areas. According to Bambalan, the effort not only restores ecological balance but also provides tangible benefits for local communities.
“The efforts of the mining companies have created livelihood opportunities for 1,114 individuals across 45 barangays,” Bambalan said. She noted that the projects empowered local organizations and helped residents become advocates for environmental sustainability.
Bambalan added that the initiative exemplifies how mining, which is often associated with environmental degradation, can also be a catalyst for regeneration when done responsibly. “This partnership has demonstrated that environmental protection and economic development must coexist. This embodies the principle of responsible mining,” she concluded.
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