SURVER, MAPPING AND PLANNING (SMP) FOR CY 2024
NARRATIVE REPORT
I. BACKGROUND
In 2011, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
launched the National Greening Program (NGP) which was created under Executive
Order No. 26 to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of lands of the public
domain for a period of 6 years from CY 2011 to CY 2016, with a state policy of pursuing
sustainable development for reducing poverty, ensuring food security, conserving
biodiversity, and promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation in the forestry
sector. After 6 years of successful implementation, the government saw it appropriate to
further expand the program from CY 2016 to CY 2028 by virtue of Executive Order No.
193 on CY 2015. The program aims to cover the remaining 7.1 million hectares of
unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands nationwide. It specifically aimed to
enhance and encourage the participation of the private sector, LGUs, organized upland
communities, and other stakeholders in the sustainable development of the established
plantations.
As a major requirement in the implementation of enhanced National Greening
Program (eNGP), in determining the available areas of unproductive, denuded and
degraded forestlands potential for development, implementation of site assessment,
Survey, Mapping and Planning (SMP) should be thoroughly done in order for high
success rates will be attained. This activity is detailed under the DENR-FMB Technical
Bulletin No. 1A and 1B.
On 01 March 2022, a composite team was created by virtue of PENRO Special
Order No. 2022-13 to conduct site assessment, Survey Mapping and Planning (SMP)
within the identified potential area with a total of 205.0 hectares located in Sitio
Cugonan, Brgy. Kalawakan, DRT, Bulacan. The area is intended for eNGP plantation of
CY 2024.
II. METHODOLOGY
1. Short Briefing
The team conducted a meeting and discussed on their strategies in order to accomplish
the Site assessment, Survey, Mapping and Planning efficiently, they also reviewed all
pertinent documents and planned their schedules and itinerary for the activity. During this
time the team prepared the maps, tools/ devices and forms to be filled-up during field
activities.
2. Preparation of Map of pre-identified potential areas.
Using the Shapefile of potential area within critical watershed forwarded by the
Regional Office, the members assigned in mapping have identified a total area of 250
hectares in Sitio Cucong, Brgy. Kalawakan, DRT, Bulacan. This pre-identified site was
mapped-out and was subjected for Site Assessment and Ground Survey.
3. Coordination with the concerned LGU’s, local communities, Tenurial Holders,
Indigenous communities and partner Peoples Organization (PO’s)
Prior to the conduct of the SMP, the composite team coordinated with the concerned
LGU’s to inform them on the activity and ensure safety and security. During the
coordination with the concerned LGU’s, the team introduced the members, the activity
and discussed the methods to be done. After the coordination, the leaders of local
community provided manpower to serve as guide for the team in the area in conducting
Site assessment, photo documentation, establishment of “muhon”, marking of boundary
points and soil sample collection.
4. Conduct of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign
The team conducted an Information, Education and Communication Campaign to the
local community in Sitio Cucong. During the IEC, they were oriented where the site is
straddles and discussed to them the importance of the activity as well as the Program.
The team documented the existing Peoples Organizations and Indigenous Peoples in the
area as required under DMC 2013-06 and asked what commodity they preferred for
planting within their area to be considered during the planning stage. During this
gathering, the IATF guidelines/standards on physical social distancing for COVID-19
prevention were strictly observed.
5. Site assessment and Perimeter Survey
Two sub-teams were created during this activity, the first team is assigned in
boundary delineation and establishment of boundary markings, they used Geographic
Positioning System to delineate the area and cemented PVC pipe to mark the
boundaries. While the other team is assigned in site assessment and collection of soil
sample, used Locus Map as a tool and documented all their observations within the
area during the conduct the activity.
6. Soil Collection and Analysis
The team identified ten (10) sampling points per slope category (Upper, Middle and
Lower) with a total number of thirty (30) sampling points of the area. The team
collected soil samples with the use of soil auger and placed it in a clean zip locks,
per slope. The collected samples were tested and analyzed through the acquired Soil
Test Kits (STK) from the Ecosystems Research Development Bureau (ERDB).
Whereas, Macronutrients contents were tested to determine the level of availability
like Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), Soil pH for acidity and
alkalinity of the surveyed area.
7. Preparation of final GIS-Generated Maps
The map was prepared based on the conducted site assessment and perimeter survey
and other important data collected. The unplantable portions like rocky, dense forest and
built-up areas were removed.
8. Planning
Through technical conference the composite team synergized and have planned
based on the data collected from all the field activities. They decided what commodities
to be planted, the area to be deducted, the schedules and timeline of the activities,
considering also to the PO and IPs who are present in the area. The results were
recorded in the given prescribed templates forms such as: Template 1A- Survey Form,
Template 1B – Soil Analysis Form and Template 1C- Information, Education and
Campaign form.
III. RESULTS
The proposed ENGP target of 205.0 hectares located at So. Cucong, Kalawakan,
DRT, Bulacan, based in the status of the area, result of soil sampling and analysis,
vegetative cover, present land use topography, slope, elevation, and commodity:
A. BIOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Present Land Use:
The proposed eNGP site SMPed for 2024 with a total area of 205.0 hectares is
production forest of timberland located within the Upper Pampanga River Basin.
Land Tenure:
The area are tenured partly of ____ hectares CBFM named under_______,
________hectares are CSC’s of ____ number of different of families, ______ hectares is
part under Dumagat claims (CADC), and the remaining is open access.
Vegetative Cover:
The team observed that the area is a brushland vegetated by Gmelina, Mango,
Banana, Cogon, Hagonoy, Banana, Akleng Parang, Mahogany, Buho, Lantana,
Malacamote, Nappier, Carabao grass, Talahib, ipil-ipil, Hauili, Tibig, Binayuyo,
Alibangbang Takip asin, Binunga, Alim, Duhat, Antipolo, Bugawak, Himbabao
Anabiong and other lesser-used and pioneering tree species.
Topography:
The area has dominantly multiple slopes of 30% to 60% with significant
inclusions of 15% to 30% multiple slopes, while the elevation ranges from 150 to 300
meters above sea level (masl) with moderate to high terrain.
Drainage System:
The surveyed 205 hectares area is part of the Upper Pampanga River Basin, which
is one of the biggest river basins in the Philippines. The area has tributary creeks draining
to Penaranda River which is one of the major rivers contributing water to Pampanga
river.
Accessibility:
Trails and unpaved roads are existing in the area, and is accessible with 4x4
vehicles, motorcycle and have approximately 1 hour of foot trail/ trekking to reach the
other part of proposed project site. The site is approximately sixty-three Kilometers (63
km) away from CENRO Baliwag passing through Maharlika highway, Camias-Sibul
road, Tartaro-Sitio Cucong road to project site.
Soil Composition/ Fertility:
SOIL NUTRIENTS RESULTS
Nitrogen (N) Medium to High
Phosphorus (P) Medium to Low
Potassium (K) Sufficient
Soil PH 4 to 6.4 (acidic to slightly neutral)
Result of the soil analysis revealed that the Nitrogen (N) content of the soil ranges
from medium -to high, Phosphorus (P) content ranges from medium to low, with
sufficient availability Potassium (K). Likewise, Soil pH is also tested and found out that
the site has a soil pH range from 4 to 6.4 (acidic to slightly neutral.
B. Social Characteristic:
The nearest community to the proposed plantation sites is So. Cucong,
Kalawakan, DRT, Bulacan. Most people living in the area have the primary means of
livelihood such as: practiced of Shifting Cultivation (annual cropping), collection of non-
wooden products like Buho which is woven into fences and “sawali”, collection of wood
for fuel (firewood), charcoal making and planting of agricultural crops such as Banana,
Mango and Coconut. These products were marketed locally or in exchange for goods
with lowlanders. The products derived from the area demanded a high price in the local
market; hence, they gather them to support their daily living most specially during
pandemic. The PO and IPs present in the community recommended Bamboo and Fruit
tree commodities for the project to enrich the already present commodities they are
harvesting in the area.
C. Proposed Commodity:
In consideration to the above results, the team recommends the commodities such as
_______, ________, ________ to be planted within the area.
Validation Team:
Attested by:
Approve Noted?
