Section 1. Purpose - This guideline is promulgated pursuant to Executive Order No. 26 dated February 24, 2011, directing the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGO) as a government priority requiring further all participating agencies/institutions to issue their respective guidelines to implement the same. Thus, this Memorandum Circular is promulgated, adopted and prescribed for the information and guidance of all DOST offices and its attached agencies.

Section 2. Mandate - As mandated by the said law the Department of Science and Technology shall be responsible for the development and transfer of appropriate technologies as well as promotion of the use of such technologies to various client groups through the production of both formal and non-formal Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.

In line with the same mandate, the DOST established a Techno-Ecology Park within the DOST compound serving as an accessible and suitable location to showcase locally-developed technologies as well as an urban haven to house a nursery of indigenous plants and trees.

Section 3. Objective - DOST shall actively participate and work closely with other government and private entities in support of the National Greening Program. DOST shall pursue the priority programs of the government, which include poverty reduction, resource conservation and protection, productivity enhancement, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

As part of DOST's commitment to this endeavor, all DOST offices and attached agencies are required to give full support ensuring the success of the NGP. All lead agencies in science, research and innovation, R and D Institutes and Councils are directed to utilize their respective researches for the optimum growth and survival of plant nurseries and "greeneries," such as trees, vegetables and ornamental plants.

In support of the NGP, DOST shall undertake the following activities:

1. Develop a Master Plan for the establishment of the DOST Techno-Ecology Park, which would showcase the various S&T technologies related to the greening program;
   
2. Establish nurseries and protected agriculture areas in which to rear trees, vegetables and other plants;
   
3. Showcase DOST and other locally-developed technologies;
   
4. Develop IEC materials to promote the various "greening" technologies to the public; and,
   
5. Disseminate technologies and information related to the National Greening Program to the appropriate parties.

Section 4. Organizational Structure and Over-all Coordination - PCARRD shall be the over-all coordinator of the project. DOST-NCR shall be the lead agency in charge of' the management of the DOST Techno-Ecology Park located at the DOST compound, in collaboration with the PMO, composed by the DOST Councils and RDI's involved in the program.

Section 5. Strategy of Implementation - Preparation of Master Plan for the establishment of the DOST Techno-Ecology Park.

 

5.1	The Master Plan shall have three components: the Green/environment aspect; Science and Technology; and the Business component.
	5.1.1 Green/environment aspect-urban agriculture and forestry - The DOST Greening Program shall harness various S&T technologies that are funded and monitored by DOST. These shall include, among others:
		- Hydroponics/protected agriculture
		- Nurseries (Indigenous Forest Trees; Bamboos and other ornamental plants)
		-Butterfly Garden
		- Fishery/Recreational Fishing
		- DOST Biodiversity Park
	5.1.2 Science and Technology Component - The Science and Technology component shall showcase DOST and other locally-developed technologies. Agencies of DOST shall be invited to showcase their respective identified technologies in the DOST compound.
	5.1.3 Business component - This shall include the establishment of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) promoting green technologies and S&T enterprise market. These TBIs shall cater to various business enterprises engaged in gardening, horticulture, landscaping and technological gadgets and equipment. A MOA shall be executed by DOST with the interested parties and shall always be subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
5.2	DOST shall provide an area and the technology to showcase modern nursery techniques for producing forest tree seedlings.
	5.2.1 Establishment of DENR forest nurseries inside the DOST compound - The DENR-ERDB and DENR-NCR shall establish forest nurseries in Zone 10 b inside the DOST compound. These nurseries shall be the source of planting materials for the greening of Metro Manila. Different species of indigenous forest trees and bamboo shall be raised in these nurseries. A Memorandum of Agreement between DOST and DENR shall be executed to this effect.
	5-2.2	PCARRD, in coordination with the ERDB, shall establish nurseries for planting stock production of bamboo, llang-ilang and other indigenous trees.
5.3	Preparation of IEC Materials - Considering that the production of IEC materials is one of the responsibilities of DOST as stipulated under Section 5.11 of E.O. 263, the DOST, through the PCARRD, shall prepare IEC materials related to the NGP. The book "Philippines Recommends for Fast Growing Tree Species, Bamboo and Tree Farming" shall be re-printed, in addition to the packaging of Information Bulletins on the production of forest trees and bamboos. Other DOST agencies and regional offices shall be requested to produce !EC materials related to the NGP.
5.4	DOST projects/programs in support of NGP shall include but not limited to the following:
	5.4.1 Action Program for the Establishment of Commercial Plantations and Efficient Utilization of the Wood Products in the Caraga Region.
	5.4.2 Development and Management of Pilot Bamboo Plantation in Lumban, Laguna.
	5.4.3 Collection, propagation, evaluation and utilization of some marketable fruits and spices.
	5.4.4 Varietal improvement of selected ornamental plants (Spathoglottis orchids, foli-age-type anthuriums and hoyas) through gamma irradiation.
	5.4.4 Collection, conservation, regeneration and re-introduction of indigenous orchids in selected natural habitat.
	5.4.6 Enhancing Research Utilization for Sweet Potato Livelihood Development in Disaster-prone Communities/Enhancing Livelihood opportunities of Small Resource-poor Sweet potato Farmers in Tarlac Province.
	5.4.7 ACIAR-PCARRD Project: Enhanced profitability of selected vegetable value chains in the Southern Philippines and Australia.
	5.4.8 Such other similar programs/projects after the effectivity of this guideline.
5.5	DOST shall provide technical assistance in the establishment of nurseries in other areas of the country upon written request.

Section 6. Organization and Implementation Mechanism

6.1	Appointment of a Focal Person for the National Greening Program - The DOST Secretary shall appoint a focal person through a Special Order who shall be in charge of carrying out the National Greening Program for the Department of Science and Technology.
6.2	Coordination - PCARRD shall be the overall coordinator of this program while DOST-NCR shall be in charge of the over-all management in support of the National Greening Program.
6.3	Other DOST councils and RDIs shall be requested to showcase their respective technologies addressing NGP.

Section 7. Funding Mechanism - DOST shall allocate funds to support activities related to the National Greening Program. The DOST councils, RDIs, institutes, attached agencies and regional offices may also allocate budget for their respective projects under NGP.

The implementation of the program/s and/or project/s herein shall be subject to existing budgeting, accounting, auditing rules and regulations.

Section 8. Repealing Clause - This Circular shall supersede other issuances that are inconsistent herewith.

Section 9. Effectivity - This Circular shall take effect immediately.


Adopted: 07 July 2011


(SGD.) MARIO G. MONTEJO
Secretary