DENR to bolster native tree, bamboo species production

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is aiming to bolster the production of native trees and bamboo species by establishing new and restoring old forest nurseries nationwide.

DENR Memorandum Order 2023-03 not only sets the guidelines for these forest nurseries, but also guarantees the availability of free seedlings of native species to the public.

The memorandum underscores the agency’s commitment to its goal of promoting diversity, as well as supporting the local bamboo industry, which it said is crucial to the creation of urban green spaces.

The order mandates all existing and fully operational nurseries to produce a minimum of 15,000 seedlings of indigenous and endemic tree species per year, while those that cultivate both native tree seedlings and bamboo culms will have an annual target of 10,000 seedlings.

The DENR said that a 10-percent minimum seedling requirement is also mandated for ornamental and indigenous flowering tree species, while the annual minimum seedling requirement for ornamental plants in the DENR-National Capital Region is increased to 30 percent.