Concern about the IPs has become serious in the past few years following the massive debudation wrought by government’s allowing illegal loggers to run roughshod over forestry laws.

This has become even more serious as Environemnt Secretary Mike Defensor’s opens up more areas for logging and mining, particularly in the Caraga Region.

Arroyo also directed Caraga officials to coordinate with each other to craft livelihood programs that pay and guarantee that the IPs would earn money.

She vowed to work well in the uplift of the living standards of upland dwellers, many of whom have continued to back revolutionary groups fighting the government.

CORD officer and Environment Secretary Michael T. Defensor visited Caraga, particularly Bislig City, to thoroughly implement the economic agenda and directive of the President.

Defensor was accompanied by top DENR regional officials led by Caraga regional executive director Benjamin T. Tumaliuan.

The DENR chief went to Caraga to oversee on-going development projects being implemented in different barangays,

These include access roads and bridges, water supply and school buildings.

In a report to Secretary Defensor, Tumaliuan said the DENR is evaluating at least 167 hectares that could be the site for an agro-forest plantation.

He said government entities and private individuals are already interested to invest in the program through tenuring instruments.

The proposed target areas of agro-forest development project are situated in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.

DENR Caraga is still scouting more open-access areas in timberlands where people can be drawn and encouraged to participate in the program.

At present, there are about 4,078.21 hectares that are being developed for reforestation and forest restoration effort through private and public initiatives.