AECID Project Officer for Caraga Miguel Barba visits Poder-funded subprojects in San Agustin and Hinatuan towns in Surigao del Sur. Here, Mr. Barba inspects a 4-classroom school building in Brgy. Hornasan, San Agustin. (DSWD-13/ PIA-Caraga) 
Rehabilitating the mined-waste dump site: Above is the previous mined-waste dump area of the Manila Mining Corporation located in Suyoc, Placer, Surigao del Norte which is chosen as site for mining rehabilitation demonstration project under the Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration for Marginal and Degraded Landscapes and Seascapes. The project covers 5.1 hectares which started on May 2007 with funding support from Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERBD). Tree species planted in the area are falcata, dipterocarps (mayapis and mangasiro), narra, mangium, rain tree and acacia species. Vetiver and lemon grasses are also planted at the sloping portion of the rehabilitation site. The ERDB in coordination with the Ecosystems Research and Development Services headed by OIC, Regional Technical Director VIrgilio C. dela Cruz under the administration of OIC, Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Caraga Region implements the project (Mylene J. Samonte, DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Establishment and Maintenance of Mahogany and Mangium Progeny Trials:Hired laborers regularly conducts clear brushing, weeding, survival inventory, replanting and apply insecticides to the 1.6-hectare progeny trial plantation of mangium (left) and mahogany (right), tree species established within the compound of Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology, Butuan City. (Inset) A billboard is installed to inform the public that they are prohibited from pasturing their animals inside the area. The project is under the Timber Improvement Program of the Ecosystems Research and Development Services (ERDS) headed by OIC, Regional Technical Director Virgilio C. dela Cruz led by OIC, Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser of the DENR Caraga Region in coordination with NORMISIST with technical assistance from Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia . The conduct of field trial is a basic activity in tree improvement. These trees will become seed sources for the future tree plantation development and ensure the high productivity and quality of tree plantation being developed. (DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga) 