Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC) said Friday it surpassed its 2023 reforestation goals, planting 1.8 million seedlings across various locations within Brooke’s Point and adjacent towns in Palawan as of Jan. 8, 2024.
INC said in a statement the company is committed to supporting the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
INC produced 870,000 seedlings and exceeded its target of 861,300 from January 2023 to December 2023. This is equivalent to 101.04 percent target accomplishment, with a seedling inventory of 890,048.
It planted a substantial number of seedlings in line with the Special Tree Cutting and Earth-balling Permit (STCEP) targets.
Among these are 250,000 mangrove seedlings which were planted along coastal areas of Barangay Abo-abo, Punang and Panitian.
A total of 1,360,410 seedlings were planted in upland areas, with an additional 242,018 seedlings delivered to Barangay Sta Cruz in Puerto Princesa under the Nagsaguipi-Calatubog Farmers Marketing Cooperative (NCFMC) backed by a signed memorandum of agreement (MOA), bringing the total to 1,852,428 seedlings.
The company said it continuously works to provide for the remaining 130,928 seedlings to meet the STCEP target.
INC’s reforestation efforts also extended beyond seedling production by teaming up with various people’s organizations (POs) in the Bulho area for planting and maintenance.
These include the Calasaguen Shore Coconut Based Association, covering an area of 117 hectares with 195,039 seedling capacity; the Sitio Abubakar Coconut Farmers Association, having planted 333,400 seedlings on a 200-hectare land; and the Bulho Farmers Association with an accomplished target of 333,400 seedlings on a 200-hectare land as well.
INC has supported reforestation initiatives across 517 hectares, thereby fostering sustainable forestry practices and empowering local communities.