Full TEXT:

ORDINANCE NO. 2023-110

INSTITUTIONALIZING THE FOREST IN OUR MIDST PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF NAGA:-

Author: City Councilor Joselito S.A. del Rosario, Ph.D.

Co-Authors: City Youth Councilor Carmela Marie R. Valiente
City Senior Citizen Councilor Rebecca Belles

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Naga City, being a landlocked area with a topography characterized by the presence of rivers and criss-crossing creeks, makes flooding inevitable in the low-lying areas in the city, particularly during heavy rains.

However, in the first four months of 2023, we have been noticing changes in the extremity of weather events, and these have been negatively affecting our city.

One, the onslaught of Tropical Depression ‘Amang’ on April 11 and 12, 2023, brought intense rains of 50-200mm and caused heavy flooding in certain parts of the city, including areas that were not normally being flooded in the past.

Another is the rise in temperature that we are experiencing nowadays for which DOST-PAGASA had already warned of the looming El Nino phenomenon happening most possibly in the third quarter of the year.

Environmental and climate agencies both locally and internationally attest to this extreme weather events as have been caused by human-induced climate change. Models predict this may continue to worsen and bring about more catastrophic weather events.

Taking into account these weather realities, City Mayor Nelson S. Legacion, issued on September 30, 2019, Executive Order No. 2019-046, establishing the Forests-In-Our-Midst (FOM) Program in the City of Naga. Obtaining guidance from Republic Act 10176 or the “Arbor Day Law” of 2012, the EO expounds the need to invest in regreening programs to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Three years and counting since its inception, the program had already been seeing positive results in terms of increased vegetation cover in Naga.

Hence, in order to strengthen and ensure sustainability in the implementation of the program, the establishment of FOM program in the City of Naga must be institutionalized with the aid of a local legislation, that will provide for mechanisms for its wider scope and coverage, the pooling of more resources, redefined roles, and the refining of the processes and procedures involve in the preparation, planting, and growing of the urban mini-forests in partnership with concerned agencies and institutions- in order to ensure most productive and beneficial results, towards attaining a more livable City of Naga that is, among others, environmentally resilient.

Be it ordained in Session Assembled: that;

SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FORESTS-IN-OUR-MIDST PROGRAM. Given Naga’s limited land area and the urgent need to minimize the effects of trees on the environment, resources, and health of the people, the Forests-in-our-Midst (FOM) Program is hereby created.

SECTION 2. GOALS OF THE PROGRAM. The FOM Program shall be guided by the following goals:

1. Air quality improvement

2. Increased oxygen generation and Local Climate regulation

3. Mitigate urban heat island effect – this covers relatively lowering the average temperature in FOM sites compared to other areas with closely packed buildings or paved surfaces which is a prominent feature of urban Naga. This also signifies “local climate regulation” which covers a wider facets of ecosystem services.

4. Improved water quality and groundwater recharge

5. Improved soil retention and restoration – structures or practices that hold soil in place. Soil restoration on the other hand involves technique of enhancing compacted soils to improve their porosity and nutrient retention.

6. Increased biodiversity through planting and growing indigenous trees.

7. Improved food security through establishment of food forests.

8. Disaster risk reduction – urban forest reduces the risk of disasters particularly flash floods, extreme heat, as well as landslides/mud slides.

Also, FOM will improve social, cultural and aesthetic benefits – urban forests provide spaces for recreation, education and research. They also allow communities to reconnect with their natural heritage and foster a sense of pride in their

SECTION 3. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT. In order to ensure that the FOM program shall remain as inclusive and responsive as possible, there shall be an Executive Committee to decide on major policies regarding the program with the following composition:

Chairperson: City Mayor

Co-chair: City Vice Mayor

Members: The Archbishop, Archdiocese of Caceres Chairman, SP Committee on Environment and Energy

Chairman, SP Committee on Education,

The School Superintendent DepED Naga

The President, Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Chairman, Naga City People’s Council

The Chairman of the Board and General Manager, Metro Naga Water District

Department Head, City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

The President, Naga City Hall Press Corps

The Director, Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research, Ateneo de Naga University

The President, Philippines Native Trees Enthusiasts

The President, Bicol Native Trees Enthusiasts

The City Mayor may invite other stakeholders as necessary to achieve the purposes of this Ordinance, in relation to the previously issued Executive Order.

Any policy and/or additional guidelines made in consonance with this Ordinance, including review of the implementation hereof, shall henceforth be considered as forming part of this Ordinance.

SECTION 3.A. FOM GREEN TEAM. A composite group from various city government departments and offices, herein referred to as the FOM Task Force or “Green Team” shall be responsible for the research, development, implementation, and maintenance of the FOM Program and forest sites, with the following composition:

Chair: City Environment and Natural Resources Office

Members: Community Affairs Office

City Agriculture Office

SWMO – Special Concerns Office City Parks and Recreational Facilities Management Office

City Engineer’s Office

SECTION 4. ROLES OF CITY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES. The FOM Program shall initially utilize the existing resources of various departments and offices of the city government of Naga with aligned or similar mandate to achieve its goals. The following shall be their respective roles and responsibilities:

1. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office shall:

   a. Craft a comprehensive plan for the development of the FOM Program

   b. Spearhead the assessment of potential FOM sites

   c. Identify and propagate suitable indigenous tree species for the FOM Program

   d. Coordinate with groups and organizations for manpower needed for the FOM Program activities

   e. Ensure thorough and updated documentation of all aspects of the program, including but not limited to the following:

   • Profile of all forest-planting volunteers, including signed MOAs entered into

   • Inventory of planted and surviving trees, including tagging of tree species at the site

   • Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping of the afforested areas and prospected areas, with the technical assistance from the Naga City Mapping Team.

   • Record of tree growth and regular monitoring of air temperature, soil retention, and flooding in the vicinity of the FOM area

   f. Serve as the FOM Program’s secretariat in coordinating efforts of partners and stakeholders.

   g. Ensure inclusion of the program in the resilience scorecard of the city

   h. Enforcement and filing of necessary complaint and filing of necessary charges to violators of environmental laws related but not limited to greening plant care and related concerns

2. The City Agriculture Office shall:

a. Assist in the assessment of potential FOM sites

b. Identify and propagate suitable fruit trees

c. Identify and secure sources of natural soil implements for target FOM sites

d. Determine the suitable quantity, variety, and placement of seedling during FOM forest-planting activities

e. Coordinate with potential distributors, retailers, and end-users of agricultural products from FOM sites

f. Assist in the FOM site identification, maintain and monitor food forest/orchard developed by the program, and encourage existing clients developing and maintaining food forest/orchard to be included in the FOM program.

3. The City Engineer’s Office shall:

a. Provide equipment and personnel for the preparation of FOM sites

b. Assist in the regular maintenance and upkeep of the FOM sites

c. Determine possible integration of the FOM program in city’s urban planning, particularly of the new development areas in the city, and in other infrastructure projects, as deemed applicable

4. The SWMO Special Concerns office shall:

a. Provide equipment and personnel for the preparation of FOM sites

b. Assist in the regular maintenance and upkeep of the FOM sites

c. Identify, secure, and provide appropriate organic materials for possible use as soil medium for FOM site development.

5. The City Parks and Recreational Facilities Management Office shall:

a. Provide equipment and personnel for the preparation of FOM sites

b. Assist in the regular maintenance, particularly in watering of newly planted seedlings utilizing their water trucks/lorries.

6. The Community Affairs Division of the City Mayor’s Office shall:

a. Help assess the viability of a proposed FOM site for forest-growing

b. Coordinate and encourage civic organizations, resettlement sites homeowners’ associations, and other potential groups to be FOM partners.

c. Take the lead in the urban gardening, food forest, and commercial forests aspect of the FOM Program.

SECTION 5. SCOPE AND COVERAGE OF THE PROGRAM. The FOM Green Team shall identify appropriate areas for the planting of mini-forests in the following setting, guided by the provision of RA 10176:

1. Public spaces

a. Public parks (green space)

b. Government institutions (open space, development sites)

c. Public schools (with identified open space as per site development plans)

d. Housing resettlement sites (open space)

e. Waterway (buffer zones and easements)

f. Roadsides/access road

2. Private properties

a. Commercial establishments (open and unutilized space)

b. Housing subdivisions (open space and roadways)

c. Academic institutions (open and unutilized space)

d. Resorts (open space)

e. Mt. Isarog Natural Park f. Property backyard/area allotted for greening

SECTION 6. THE USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES. Given the space constraints of Naga City, the city government shall adopt and employ the Miyawaki method of afforestation. To achieve the same level of environmental and ecological benefits as conventional man-made forests in a significantly shorter period of time, the FOM Program shall prioritize the use of the Miyawaki method with its following attributes:

1. Space – minimum of 100 square meters of urban mini-forest

2. Density – 3 to 5 seedlings per square meter for faster growth

3. Growth – 10 to 15 years for full forest maturity, instead of 100 years for conventional man-made forest and 1,000 years for natural forest

4. Climate change mitigation – 30 times more effective in capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

5. Biodiversity – 100 times more biodiversity than regular forests using indigenous tree species

However, in areas like the Protected Area of Mt. Isarog Natural Park, easement, and other vast and open areas, the conventional planting method shall be employed, for practical and financial reasons.

SECTION 6-A. OTHER INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES. In pursuit of the intents and purposes of this Ordinance, the Executive Committee, based on the recommendation of the Green Team and after the conduct of research, may pursue, adopt, and employ other necessary and appropriate technique/s or method of reforestation suitable to the changing environment and landscape of the City.

SECTION 7. FOREST SITE IDENTIFICATION, PREPARATION, AND PLANTING. The FOM Green Team shall be responsible for the identification, assessment, and preparation of the forest planting sites. It shall be guided by the following activities and procedures:

1. Stakeholders consultation. Prior to the assessment of a potential FOM site a consultation meeting shall be conducted to gather inputs and feedback from stakeholders.

2. Technical evaluation. The FOM Green Team shall perform a technical assessment of the proposed forest site to determine the most viable use of the space, as well as the suitable species for planting.

3. Site development plan. Upon determining the viability and suitability of a proposed FOM site, the FOM Green Team shall develop a site development plan to determine the placement of the seedlings, as well as the resources needed for the site preparation.

4. Site preparation. The FOM Green Team shall secure and provide necessary resources such as equipment and personnel for the soil and site preparation.

5. Orientation. The FOM Green Team shall provide a pre-planting orientation on-site or off site to translate program knowledge to the stakeholders and the individual participants as well.

6. Forest-planting. The proponent shall provide the necessary manpower and support for the planting of the identified and approved tree species in the FOM forest site and shall be assisted by the FOM Green Team.

7. Forest maintenance program. The proponent of an FOM forest site shall automatically be considered as primarily responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the site. The FOM Green Team shall provide technical support until such time that the forest is capable of self-growth.

8. Monitoring activities. FOM Green Team shall conduct regular route of site monitoring to determine the status of the site and inform involve partners on the updates.

SECTION 8. PLANTING MODELS AND DESIGNS. The FOM Program shall take into full account and consideration the implications of planting dense urban forest in the approved sites and shall be guided by a design guide to be developed by FOM Green Team. The planting models and guides for green strips and FOM forests shall adhere to national and local laws, codes, and regulations. The design guide shall cover the following areas, whenever feasible:

1. Parks and open spaces

a. Recreational parks

b. Mini-parks

2. Government institutions and facilities

a. Public schools

b. Open spaces

c. Urban gardening demo site and training center

3. Residential areas

a. Integrated community food production sites

b. Community open spaces

4. Waterways

a. Agricultural areas

b. Residential areas

c. Agro-forestry areas

d. Themed forest

5. Commercial establishments

a. Urban mini-forest

b. Parking areas

c. Themed forest

6. Waterways/Easement Areas

7. Ecozones/industrial parks

SECTION 9. FOREST GROWING, MAINTENANCE, AND MANAGEMENT. For the FOM Program to be successful, close attention shall be given to the post-planting period up to 3 years or until the forests are deemed capable of self-growth. To maximize the chances of survival of the forests, the capabilities of the following stakeholders shall be enhanced, assisted and/or strengthened:

1. FOM Green Team

a. Development of maintenance procedures and protocols

b. Acquisition of equipment and materials, especially balling equipment for the speedy relocation of growing trees

c. Deployment and scheduling of maintenance activities

2. Barangay Governments

a. Capacity building of personnel

b. Development and adoption of monitoring system

c. Regular reporting d. Secure the area

3. Schools and academic institutions

a. Capacity building of students

b. Regular monitoring of FOM sites

c. Encouragement of FOM sites within the school available/vacant areas

4. Partner Organization

a. Partnership development and MOA signing

b. Technical support from LGU

c. Capacity building of members

SECTION 10. PROMOTION AND INFORMATION AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. Since the success of the FOM Program lies in its social and cultural acceptability, the city government shall endeavor to document the entire process of the program, most notably its successes and lessons, and shall promote the same to stakeholders.

The City Events, Protocol, and Public Information Office shall develop an integrated information and education campaign to encourage potential partners to provide suitable areas for FOM forest sites or to adopt sites for their maintenance and upkeep. The city government shall explore the possibility of conducting the following activities in close partnership with the following stakeholders:

1. Public and Private Schools

a. Alignment with DepEd Naga policies

b. Inter-school competition and recognition

c. Possible inclusion in curriculum and/ or academic requirement d. Possible inclusion in NSTP activities

2. Business and commercial establishments

a. RA 10176 compliance certification for owners and employees

b. Industry wide competition

c. Recognition by the city government

3. General Public

a. RA 10176 compliance certification

b. Publication of citizens’ names upon complying with RA 10176

c. Civic recognition by the city government

SECTION 11. LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS/BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS. Portion of the current budget, which will redound to environmental protection, of the Environment and Natural Resources Office and other offices named herein, shall be utilized for this purpose.

For the succeeding years, One Million (P1M) pesos per year shall be allocated under the ENRO budget for the full implementation of this Ordinance.

SECTION 12. PENALTY PROVISION. Any person who will intentionally destroy the planted trees or otherwise disturb the area/s in which trees have been planted, upon recommendation of the Green Team and review of the City Legal Officer, may be charged in Court and after due determination, may suffer the penalty of imprisonment of ten (10) days or fine of Three Thousand Pesos, on first offense, fifteen (15) days and four thousand pesos on second offense and thirty (30) days and ten thousand pesos on third offense, based on the discretion of the Court.

SECTION 13. JOINT LEGISLATIVE-EXECUTIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. For purposes of ensuring full and comprehensive implementation of this Ordinance, an Oversight Committee is hereby created with the following composition:

Chairman: Committee Chair, SP Committee on Environment and Energy

Members: Committee Chair, SP Committee on Education

Committee Chair, SP Committee on Children

Committee Chair, SP Committee on Culture and Arts City Administrator

SECTION 14. TRANSITORY PROVISION. For purposes of implementing the provisions of this Ordinance in accord with the Executive Order, personnel and/or equipment of various offices now working or being used under this Program shall be maintained, and in case of further need, be increased and/or expanded as may be necessary.

Moreover, the Committee, upon review of the Executive Department, may recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod the reclassification of lands identified as FOM sites as having part of the Green Zones of Naga City and the development and/or redevelopment of which will necessitate action of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

SECTION 15. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after publication in a newspaper of local circulation.

APPROVED.

ENACTED: October 16, 2023.

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

GIL A. DE LA TORRE
Secretary to the
Sangguniang Panlungsod

CECILIA B. VELUZ-DE ASIS
City Vice Mayor
& Presiding Officer

APPROVED:

NELSON S. LEGACION
City Mayor