DBP jump-starts forest program with SPDA

DAVAO CITY (30 January 2025) – The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) through its DBP Forest Program which was initiated to protect the country’s critical watersheds and coastal areas, thus, protecting the environment, has kicked off its linkage Thursday with Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) through a virtual meeting with the members of the Management Committee (MANCOM) of the Authority.

Point persons of the DBP Forest Program have eagerly listened and actively discussed with the SPDA officials the shared interests and objectives of the program which include, among others, support and encourage greening and reforestation of the country through the bamboo plantation projects in Mindanao within the vast tracts of land of SPDA in Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Whenever pushed through, this bamboo plantation project which shall be financed by a grant through DBP’s Forest Development Fund, may provide rural livelihood opportunities, prevent soil and coastal erosion, absorb rainfall, conserve water, promote biodiversity, protect and restore habitat as well as mitigate climate change.

This virtual conference is attended by SPDA Operations Department Manager Cris B. Dagala; Business Development Division Chief Marlon S. Saloma, Consultant Ms. Virginia L. Uy, Corporate Planning and MIS Division Chief Engr. Modiff DT Gampong, Acting Manager of the Corporate Affairs Department Norhan A. Salih, Chief Accountant Rey Benedict Acquiatan, Budget Officer Albir A. Biruar, and Corporate Board Secretary Dr. Celestino B. Siglos.