ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The following are the HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS in the Environmental Management Program of the Municipality of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte:

A. COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION

The community, composed of the private sector, civil society organizations (NGOs) and the citizenry plays a major role in the pursuit of common development priorities in the locality. As one of the stakeholders of society, its participation is vital in the realization of good local governance. The mobilization of the community is necessary to enhance, maximize and generally enjoy the outcomes of meaningful participation.
 

In the field of governance, the community has proven various ways in its participation. The Municipal Government takes pride in the mobilization of the community in various processes of planning, implementation and monitoring. This is done through the different Local Special Bodies created pursuant to the provisions of the New Local Government Code and other existing statutes.

The determined and continuing efforts of the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of San Nicolas in encouraging community mobilization for the clean and green campaign is gaining enthusiastic support from the town’s private sector and citizenry. This phenomenon is among the biggest factors of the present successes of San Nicolas in this field.

B. THE ONE-STREET, ONE PLANT PRACTICE

The presence of vacant areas along the irrigation canals has challenged the farmers to take advantage of the space, turning it into green through out the year. Their interest was also stimulated by the incessant encouragement made by the Local Government Unit through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist. The program’s implementation was seen to be very relevant to the Clean and Green Program in the municipality, hence, the UTONG, KARDIS, KATUDAY (UKK) Project was conceived.

In the past five (5) years, and especially the last two (2) years, roadsides, in addition to irrigation canal space, have been planted to achieve both food supplementation, pleasant greenery, and healthful environment. In the majority of the barangays now, one can find various trees and plants beautifully lining up roads. These barangay thoroughfares are now alternately called Malunggay Road, Katuday Avenue, Papaya Avenue, Indian Tree Boulevard and other names corresponding to the type of vegetation. These were all made possible in voluntarily planting and maintenance activities of barangay residents, under the leadership of the respective barangay councils.

In Catuguing, utong (Bean) seeds were provided to the farmers for planting along both sides of the road. One kilometer stretch was planted through their cooperation. Everybody participated in the different stages, from land preparation, planting to harvesting. During harvest time, everybody could enjoy the vegetables for family consumption. Cooperativism among farmers was developed in addition to the economic aspect of the project. On the environmental aspect, the leaves and stems are transformed into organic fertilizer which can be used in the field.

Kardis, from the pea family has also been planted along the roadsides between the Indian Trees. A bountiful harvest is of great help to farmers for their consumption, while the stalks are used as substrate for compost making.

When visiting the barangays, one can notice the Katuray Trees planted. The abundant supply of its flowers has generated income for the farmers.

With such benefits derived from the UKK Project such as the environment and economic aspect, a massive adaptation shall be implemented not only in the municipality but throughout the province as well and ultimately, nationwide.

BUDGETARY SUPPORT

C. Establishment and Maintenance of Municipal and Barangay Nurseries

One of the major development thrusts of the municipal government as reflected in the Executive-Legislative Agenda is environmental protection and regreening. Establishment of a municipal nursery is the basic step towards the achievement of this goal. Started in October 2004, most of the nursery activities have been done on the spirit of volunteerism and cooperation with different groups. As part of the regular Hataw schedule, municipal employees took turns in providing labor for seedbed and potbed preparation, collecting potting media, bagging or filling of plastic bags with soil, filing, sowing, watering, etc. The Barangay Health Workers volunteered to help. The SPES Program grantees were also tapped to be active partners in the nursery activities throughout their employment of 25 days. The Green Earth Legacy Foundation, Inc. through its Caltex Good Roots Project has shared its technical expertise and provided plastic bags, seeds and germinants. The staff of the Office of Municipal Agriculturist have taken the lead in activities. As a proof of this fruitful cooperative endeavor, around ten thousand seven hundred seventy 10,770 assorted seedlings such as mahogany, acacia, eucalyptus, mangoes, atis, citrus, katuday, alokon, etc. were raised at the nursery. This is for the current year only. A total of seven thousand (7,000) seedlings were raised during the previous year.

The establishment and development of the municipal nursery has assured the community of adequate seedling supply of all tree planting requirements of the municipality. This is a clear manifestation of self-reliance in terms of our re-greening efforts. This has also allowed the Municipal Government to plan ahead and to make a realistic schedule of distribution and planting of our seedlings as well as the right recipients. Seedlings are given free to requesting barangays, groups/organizations, and interested individuals.

Some barangays have been inspired by the success of the municipal nursery. These include Brgy. San Cayetano, San Silvestre, Sta Asuncion, San Pedro, San Pablo and San Guilllermo. The municipal government provides plastic bags and seeds while the barangays provide labor. The seedlings produced at the barangays supplement the seedlings produced at the municipal nursery. Most of these are planted along roadsides while some are given to individual farmers/residents.
Under the technical assistance of the Municipal Agricultural Office, these barangays are practicing the bio-intensive technology in raising seedlings for their own planting activities

D. The Share-your-seeds Activities

Environmental protection and regreening is everybody’s concern. Still operating on the premise of self-reliance, the municipal-wide seedling production through nurseries has been further broadened by a campaign for donation of seeds from existing trees and plants for propagation of desired fruit and forest tree seedlings. The Municipal Mayor took the initiative of donating some seeds extracted from his own fruit consumption and from his own yard. Then, he took the second step of encouraging municipal employees to do the same. This started a habit among the employees of consciously collecting seeds of local plants and trees which, otherwise, would have left unattended, wasted or swallowed. This greatly increased the quantity of self-sourced seedlings which are now being grown at the municipal nursery.

This mini project has not only helped the municipality in cutting down expenses for the nursery, but has provided an avenue for the municipal employees to be part of the regreening program at no cost.

The impact of the project is very laudable considering that it is not only seeds that are produced but the consciousness of the municipal employees on environmental management. The municipal government, through the different employees is seen to expand by encouraging other people to emulate the practice.

E. The “Share-a-Binting for San Nicolas Re-greening”

Launched almost two years ago, the Share a Binting for San Nicolas Regreening has given importance to the seemingly useless twenty-five centavo coin in the municipality’s attempt to rehabilitate the environment. The main objective of the this program is to raise funds for and increase community participation in establishing nurseries and acquiring additional cleaning and greening equipment. Donation bottles are placed at strategic places in the municipal hall, in schools and in some barangays to ensure that everybody has an access and chance to participate. For the current year, total donations amounted to P4,800.00. Said amount was used in the purchase of plastic bags for seedling production.

More than its financial and material aspect, this campaign has become useful in raising the awareness of the ordinary citizen on the importance of rehabilitating our environment through broad participation.

F. Rehabilitation and Maintenance of the Town Plaza and other Government Structures

In a welcome initiative, the Federation of Barangay Health Workers in San Nicolas, tasked themselves with the regular cleaning of the newly-rehabilitated Town Plaza. Inspired by the overall efforts of government, citizenry and private sector, BHW’s of the different barangays take turns in sweeping and weeding activities at this public place. The Federation of BHWs has adopted the Old Plaza for its maintenance.

The rehabilitation of the San Nicolas Town Plaza is another example of a project which was made possible thru support and participation of private individuals.

Mayor Alfredo Valdez, Jr. pushed this Plaza rehabilitation work starting with Municipal Funds for the infrastructure works. Then he put his heart forward by contributing personal time and resources. Together with the municipal engineer and a volunteer landscaper, he personally did the concept and designs (informally hands-on). This attracted additional donations in cash, materials, plants, and labor that took care largely of the landscape aspect of the works. That explains the optimal output with minimal public funds used.

The Municipality of San Nicolas acknowledges the invaluable contributions by private individuals including overseas San Nicoleneos and resident individuals. Residents and inquisitive visitors alike now enjoy it when they take a walk or jog, play badminton or simply sit and relax within the plaza at daytime or during the night. Favorite spots for promenades are the “rain bridge” at the south-end, the benches around the Rizal monument and the veterans’ marker, and the steps of the plaza stage with the Victory Fountain at backstage.

G. Hataw Kalinisan by Municipal Employees

The municipality is strategically located near Laoag City that is being passed by people coming from the southern and eastern municipalities. Passers-by drop their rubbish outside the vehicles and are scattered elsewhere, hence an eyesore in the streets. Another contributory factor that could be accounted for in the existence of wastes is the presence of various public places where people could spend their free time and taking into consideration the municipality’s population and strategic location. In spite of the presence of trash receptacles scattered, trash still exists.

As their direct participation in the clean and green drive, municipal employees conduct cleaning of public places and thoroughfares every other Friday of the month starting at 4:00 o’clock p.m. and even beyond the 5 p.m. office hour. Employees augment the utility manpower in keeping the municipality at its best. It instill in them that they play also a vital role in the clean and green program.

H. Community Participation on Massive Food Production coupled with Environmental Management Cum Clean and Green

Traditionally, farmers plant different crops with the extensive use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides. These farmers are not fully aware that this practice is detrimental to the health of consumers as well as the environment. In addition, fruits and vegetables fertilized with inorganic fertilizer and sprayed with pesticide have bitter taste with a spongy peeling.

On the other hand, much farm wastes are left in the field as eyesore. Grasses that grow along the roadsides and hedges can be transformed into inorganic fertilizer when decomposed. As a practice, these are burned by the farmers themselves posting hazard to the health of the people and the environment.

The advent of Integrated Pest Management promoted organic farming with the non-advocacy of pesticide usage. Composting is massively campaigned to farmers in making farm wastes beneficial, economically and socially. Cost of production is decreased considering that organic fertilizer produced already has source of nitrogen right from the farm, thus use of inorganic fertilizer is no longer a prerogative.

At present, there are already 503 farmers who have attended the Season Long Farmers’ Field Schools on Integrated Pest Management to farm products like Rice, Corn, Vegetables and Mango. These commodities are safely produced for consumers. On the economic side, the amount saved in crop production, serves as additional income which can be used for other family needs

The program became a model to other farmers not only in the province of Ilocos Norte but to nearby provinces and regions because of its features on social and economic impacts as well as environment friendly practices. Farmers from different provinces and regions are regular visitors of the municipality particularly the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist to replicate the Off-Season Vegetable Production with the Incorporation of Integrated Pest Management.

The Regional Development Council spearheaded the Search for LGU Best Practices, with the end view of exploring innovations in development focusing on environment-friendly practices which the municipality of San Nicolas joined, bagged the First Runner-Up with the entry on Off-Season Vegetable Growing with the Incorporation of the Integrated Pest Management. This accomplishment is a manifestation that San Nicolas is fairing well on the preservation and maintenance of the environment.