A one-kilometer tramline Agroforestry Value Chain Facility project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was turned over to the Local Government of Asipulo.
The project is expected to boost the mobility of agroforestry products of the Asipulo-based partner people's organization, Pula Man-ili Federation Incorporated (PMFI), which shall manage and maintain the facility.
The tramline, powered by an 80 HP automotive diesel engine, in Barangay Pula, Asipulo costs P5, 555, 417.02. It is seen to support an aggregate area of 249 hectares of reforestation area established and maintained by PMFI.
As an agroforestry value chain facility under the Forestland Management Project (FMP) in the Upper Magat Watershed, this support infrastructure facility is seen as an augmentation to the local government’s efforts to provide access to agroforestry products and for them to boost the local economy.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CAR Regional Executive Director, Engr. Ralph Pablo stressed the importance of trees for survival and climate change adaptation.
He encouraged the partner people's organization to continue planting high value crops or fruit bearing trees for their marketability. He also noted how these the planting of these high value crops will help increase forest cover and help reduce the increasing temperature in our environment.
Pablo hoped the local government could include, in its land use plan areas for forest conservation, production area and built up area for a balanced land use system.
The local government expressed gratitude for the tramline and the benefits it will bring to the community and acknowledged the collaborations of DENR with the municipal and barangay local government units and the stakeholders.
The community people committed to take care of the newly turned over value chain facility. The commitment was strengthened through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DENR and the municipal government of Asipulo, where the latter, in coordination with PMFI will be responsible for maintenance of the completed value chain facility project.
The turnover program was graced by Pablo, Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano, Asipulo Mayor Archie Lee Quindo, Lt. Melvin Salvador and other local officials.
