The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has revealed the top contributors to the National Greening Program (NGP) through the Mining Forest Program (MFP), showcasing mining companies actively participating in reforestation efforts.
In a recent report by BusinessMirror, Helix Resources and Development Corporation, operating in Iligan City and Lugait in Misamis Oriental, secured the top spot by planting 495,396 trees across 3,067 hectares since initiating reforestation in 1989, maintaining a 93.58 percent survival rate.
Following closely, Filiminera Resources Corporation in Aroroy, Masbate, planted 3,122,897 trees over 2,629.79 hectares, with an 89.93 percent survival rate.
Meanwhile, FCF Minerals Corporation in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya, secured the third position, planting 2,149,586 trees across 2,620 hectares, maintaining a 91.84 percent survival rate.
Danilo U. Uykieng stressed the mining sector’s contribution to the NGP through the MFP, highlighting the collaborative efforts in reforesting specified areas.
The MFP is a strategic approach by mining stakeholders to progressively rehabilitate mined-out areas, he added. It urges community participation in coordination with DENR satellite offices, City Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO), and private landowners under a memorandum of agreements (MOA).
The annual Best Mining Forest contest monitors the accomplishments of mining entities in implementing the MFP and NGP. As of December 2023, mining contractors have reforested 44,534.65 hectares, planting a total of 61,607,504 trees, with an impressive survival rate of 90.51 percent for 55,269,957 trees.
The MFP and NGP for the mining sector aim to facilitate progressive rehabilitation, conserve natural habitats, preserve soil and water conditions, enhance vegetation diversity, promote community involvement, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
