ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Philippines (PIA) — Over 350-hectares of land in Capiz are targeted for greening under the National Greening Program to be implemented this year.

Western Visayas Environment and Natural Resources Executive Director Julian Amador disclosed that a total of 353 hectares of forest land, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domain, civil and military reservations and other suitable lands are being targeted by converged agencies undertaking reforestation efforts this 2011.

Amador said that in Western Visayas’ six provinces, some 4,033 hectares are being eyed for planting.

On the other hand, Capiz DENR Forest Management Chief Joel Navarra said that the target areas in the province include the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) projects in Pinamalatican, Sigma, Traciano and Aglanot in Dumarao, and in Lunayan, Cuartero.

Navarra pointed out that from the CBFM sites alone, some 100 hectares will be covered for tree planting.

Other reforestation sites here include Tabun-acan, Yating and San Silvestre in Pilar, Bayuyan, Manoling and Goce in President Roxas, Roxas City-Cudian and Sta. Cruz in Ivisan, Mainit in Cuartero, Duran, Dolores and San Miguel in Dumalag, San Antonio and Roxas in Tapaz, Burias in Mambusao, Bilao in Sapian, and Jaena Norte in Jamindan town, he said.

“The seedling requirement for said land area for planting reaches 176,500 and we are now making available seedlings for said purpose,” Navarra stressed, adding that the planting activity in Capiz will start on June 15 to ensure survival.