Greenin’ Philippines Launched in Cebu to Environmental and Media Groups

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) will embark on a large-scale environmental project that envisions to “go beyond tree planting by developing real forests.” Last October 27, 2010, RAFI has gathered together Cebu’s top environmental organizations, schools and colleges, and media organizations to launch Greenin’ Philippines. The presentation was held at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center.

Mr. Neil Papas, RAFI Program Coordinator, gave a presentation about the foundation followed by Ms. Rowena Bandola’s lecture on climate change, in-depth analysis Cebu’s land, what Greenin’ Philippines is all about and how do we, as program partners, execute it.

Greenin’ Philippines aims to establish a broader scope, meet the needs of potential clients and partners with environmental concerns, contribute to national sustainable development, and upscale best practices and experience in environmental management.

“It is a starter of a five-year program,” says Ms. Bandola. “It will align with the environmental rehabilitation by linking program partners with an accredited school, LGU’s, corporate entities and individuals.”

To develop sustainable forest areas, Greenin’ Philippines has developed program strategies and approaches such as partnership broadening, capacity enhancement, social networking, and establishment of forest models and pooling together of experts. The forest models can be found at Babag, Cebu City which started last 2004 and at Bojo, Alaguinsan last 2009.

RAFI signed up with CEAP schools (Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines) who will cultivate the native tree nurseries for logistical and operational reasons.

Based on the data presented, we need to reforest 8.6 million hectares of failing or denuded lands. To do this, we need 120,400,000 seedlings to be planted in the right places with the right kind of trees and at the right time. In Cebu alone, we have total land area 508,000 hectares and only 193,000 of this are forest or timber lands.

Among the organizations partaking in the program includes Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. headed by Vernon Go, Cebu Association of Biology Students headed by Evanjohnn Mendoza, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, University of the Visayas, St. Scholastica’s College, Cebu Bird Conservation Society, Cebu Mountaineering Society, Department of Education, Shangri-la Resort, Freeman Foundation, Sun.Star Cebu, Aboitiz Leaders, DelSan Office Systems, and Mr. Ramon Vidal.

How can I help?

You can encourage your school, community or company to do your share by planting native trees where they are needed and most suited. Please coordinate with RAFI by calling (032) 418-7234 local 515 and look for Mr. Neil Papas or Ms. Meryl Mendoza.

This article is written by Jaysee Pingkian.