NAUJAN, Mindoro Oriental – Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Monday vowed to mitigate the impacts of climate change and disaster in the country by pursuing massive rehabilitation, recovery and reforestation of around 2 million hectares of the country’s denuded forest.

Speaking before the Stakeholders Meeting of the Agricultural Training Institute held at the Mimaropa Regional Office in Naujan town, Moreno said that his version of reforestation program will harness the strength and capability of local government units (LGUs), local communities, especially indigenous communities and tribes and the private sector.

“For decades, government has borrowed and spent billions of pesos in government-led reforestation programs that has had limited success because of the absence of strong support and engagement with LGUs, communities and private sector.” Moreno explained.

Under his Bilis Kilos 10-Point Agenda for Governance, Moreno would engage and work with upland and indigenous communities to directly manage and protect forest areas and utilize forest resources that they have protected and sustainably managed within their ancestral lands with support from the national and local governments and private sector groups.

“It’s time that we harness our people’s strength to manage the resources that God has bestowed on us. Dahil ako’y may tiwala sa Diyos, dapat magtiwala din tayo sa tao na nilalang nya”, said Moreno.

Among those who attended the ATI meeting were more than a hundred farm school owners as well as farmer and cooperative leaders. Mangyan students under the Mary Help of Christian School also attended the gathering.

Moreno pointed out that recovering, rehabilitating and protecting the country’s natural resources are investments into the country’s natural capital assets that are critical in the country’s post-COVID recovery plan and development future in the next decades.

Moreno reiterated his plan for a massive rehabilitation, restoration and recovery of denuded forestlands during his speech before a multi-sectoral audience at the Gymnasium Sitio Paraiso, Pinamalayan town.

“Dito sa lalawigan ng Mindoro, malaki ang papel ng mga Mangyan at iba pang kautubo sa lalawigan para bantayan ang ating mga kagubatan laban sa illegal logging. At titiyakin nating mayroon silang suporta mula sa national government at sa mga LGUs,” said Moreno.

Moreno also underscored the need for a tri-lateral cooperation among the LGUs, indigenous peoples and local communities for the protection and preservation of some 4.5 million hectares of key terrestrial and coastal/marine biodiversity conservation areas.

Pinamalayan is one of the ranking producers of coconuts in the Philippines. Its fertile plains are also devoted to yearly rice production making it a source of supply for Marinduque, Tablas, and neighboring localities.

The municipality is one of the premier producers of bananas, a variety of forest products are gathered; a diversification of crops, vegetables and fruit trees are being accomplished.

Moreno, his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial slate Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison are in Oriental Mindoro as part of their “Listening Tour” that brought them to various provinces including Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Vizcaya, Cebu, Bataan and Zambales.

Earlier in Calapan City, Moreno visited the Sto. Nino Cathedral in Barangay Suqui. The 47-year-old mayor is a devotee of the Sto. Nino, which is also the patron of Tondo, Manila where he was born and grew up.

Moreno later joined his Aksyon Demokratiko slate in touring the Calapan Public Market where they talked to vendors to ask the prices of basic commodities. Market goers were on a frenzy upon seeing Moreno who was deluged by requests for group photos using their mobile phones.

Moreno and his team were warmly welcomed by Mindoro local officials led by Vice Governor Jojo Perez.