By Kenneth Marcos 
Under the warm Ilocos sun, local officials gathered in a modest hall in Candon City, carrying notebooks and hopes for programs that could protect forests while supporting farmers’ daily needs. For many tobacco-growing towns, the balance between livelihood and environment has long been a challenge.
On Thursday, January 8, the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) conducted the first batch of a joint orientation seminar for local government units (LGUs) participating in the Kahuyang Pangkabuhayan at Pangkalikasan (KPP) Project. The activity was held at the NTA branch office function hall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
NTA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Belinda S. Sanchez led the opening of the seminar. She stressed that the KPP Project is one of the agency’s priority programs under the Renewable Energy Farm Project and the broader effort to restore ecological integrity in tobacco-growing areas.
Sanchez explained that the initiative aims to address the fuelwood needs of farmers, particularly those engaged in flue-curing Virginia tobacco. This process requires large amounts of fuelwood, which has contributed to pressure on nearby forests in some regions. By planting fast-growing trees, the project seeks to provide a sustainable source of fuel while reducing environmental damage.
“Beyond ecological restoration, the project will also provide an additional source of livelihood for tobacco farmers and their dependents,” Sanchez said. She noted that farmers can benefit not only from fuelwood but also from future income opportunities linked to tree farming.
The KPP Project is a joint effort initiated by NTA Deputy Administrator for Operations Nestor C. Casela. It brings together the NTA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and cooperating LGUs identified by eight NTA branch offices nationwide. The partnership highlights the need for coordinated action between national agencies and local governments.
The program will run for five years, from 2026 to 2030. It targets the reforestation of 80 hectares of alienable and disposable lands in tobacco-producing areas. Under the plan, 75 percent of the area will be planted with ipil-ipil trees, 20 percent with kakawate, and 5 percent with bamboo species. These trees were chosen for their fast growth, usefulness as fuelwood, and environmental benefits such as soil improvement and erosion control.
Participants in the first batch of the orientation included representatives from the LGUs of Lagayan in Abra; Nagbukel and San Juan in Ilocos Sur; Vintar in Ilocos Norte; and Balaoan in La Union. A second batch of participants is scheduled to include LGUs from Amulung in Cagayan, Balungao in Pangasinan, and the City of Ilagan in Isabela.
During the one-day seminar, experts discussed the technical, legal, and financial aspects of the project. Forester Leonard C. Cachero, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, explained proper nursery establishment procedures to ensure healthy tree seedlings. KPP consultant Fidel U. Acebedo discussed legal requirements for establishing plantations on alienable and disposable lands and DENR-managed forest areas, as well as day-to-day operational activities. Engr. Juanito M. Maloom, manager of the Forest and Tree Seed Division, outlined the project’s budget needs, labor requirements, wages, and implementation plans.
Officials said the orientation was crucial to ensure that LGUs clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Proper planning and coordination, they added, will help ensure that the project delivers both environmental protection and economic benefits.
As climate change and deforestation continue to threaten rural communities, programs like KPP offer a practical solution. By combining reforestation with livelihood support, the initiative aims to help tobacco-growing areas move toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
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