MONITORING THE NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM

MONITORING THE NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has long declared the National Greening Program (NGP) as a success. According to official reports, the NGP has rehabilitated millions of hectares of denuded forests, planted millions of trees, and provided livelihoods to thousands of upland communities. On paper, it’s an impressive achievement.

However, as with many government programs, the real picture is often shrouded in uncertainty. But for now, we could adopt a “presumption of regularity” — the legal fiction that everything is in order unless proven otherwise. But why rely on presumption when we can demand transparency?

Surely, the DENR has modern tools at its disposal — drones, satellites, and online databases capable of tracking the progress of the NGP in near real-time. If these tools are already in use, why not open the data to the public? Why not allow everyone — from scientists to students to community leaders — to see how much of our once-brown landscapes have truly turned green?

A simple yet powerful suggestion would be to provide “before and after” photographs of NGP sites. Show us how barren hillsides have blossomed into forests. Let us marvel at how mudflats have been transformed into thriving mangrove forests. Transparency inspires trust — and action.

Speaking of mangroves, are they officially part of the NGP portfolio? If so, the DENR could easily highlight their progress. The importance of mangroves as natural storm barriers and marine nurseries is well understood. Show us how much has been planted — and more importantly, how much has survived and thrived.

Beyond mangroves, secondary forests — those emerging woodlands regenerating beyond the coastlines — deserve attention too. What species are growing there? Are we nurturing native trees, or are we seeing a dangerous over-reliance on fast-growing exotics? These are crucial questions, not just for biodiversity, but for the resilience of these forests in the face of climate change.

Drone footage and satellite images are excellent tools for monitoring forest cover, but tree counts still matter. How many seedlings have survived? How many have grown into saplings? And how many have matured into full-fledged trees? Crucially, what species are they? The public has a right to know whether our forests are being rebuilt with Narra, Molave, and Lauan, or merely with Acacia and Mahogany.

It’s also time we shift the narrative from tree planting to tree growing. Anyone can plant a seedling — but growing a tree requires long-term care, protection, and nurturing. How does the DENR ensure that planted seedlings really thrive? What are the survival rates in NGP sites? These are the hard numbers that matter.

It’s not a question of distrust, but let’s be honest — programs like the NGP are vulnerable to inflated figures and creative reporting. Seedlings can disappear. Reports can be fabricated. Remote forests are difficult to monitor, making it easy for ghost reforestation projects to exist on paper.

That’s why independent validation is critical. Drone and satellite feeds should be supplemented by aerial inspections, preferably involving LGUs, civil society, and even the private sector. After all, these forests exist within local jurisdictions, and mayors should play a direct role in monitoring and safeguarding them.

Moreover, the success of the NGP shouldn’t just be measured in hectares covered or seedlings planted. True success lies in the return of wildlife — the resurgence of birds, mammals, and other creatures that call forests home. In the case of mangroves, marine life should also bounce back. The DENR should be required to track and report on biodiversity recovery as part of its performance metrics.

Perhaps it’s time to get creative. Could the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assist in monitoring coastal reforestation sites? Could the Philippine Air Force (PAF) conduct regular aerial surveys of mountain forests? If government resources are stretched thin, could private drone operators, boat owners, helicopter pilots, and even hobbyists volunteer their time and equipment for independent audits?

We also live in the age of big data. Why not purchase high-resolution imagery and environmental data from providers like www.planet.com, which maintains a daily photographic record of the Earth’s surface? Real-time data could provide invaluable insights into the NGP’s actual progress.

The NGP is more than just a tree-planting project. It is a litmus test for how serious we are about environmental restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable development. If the NGP is truly succeeding, then let that success shine — transparently, clearly, and publicly.

After all, forests grow best in the sunlight — and so does accountability.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

04-09-2025