The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has released more than P5 million to reforest the mountains and coastal areas of Oriental Mindoro.

The P5.37-million  Upland Reforestation Program (UPR) will also provide jobs to Mangyan communities that will plant trees in the mountainous parts of Baco and San Teodoro, said Representative Rodolfo G. Valencia of the first district.

The program–which is part of DENR’s  Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kinabukasan at Kalikasan (K-4) project–also includes the rehabilitation of mangroves in the coastal areas of Naujan and Calapan City.

The program’s partners include the Bagong Samahan ng mga Mangyan sa Kaunlaran, Inc., Samahan ng mga Mangyan Iraya sa Barangay Baras, Samahan ng mga Mangyan Alangan ng Baco, Inc. and Iraya Pagkapyaan Palamutan.