21 June 2024, UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Sierra Madres. 15 super keen Chiyoda Philippines Corporation (CPh) added another 200 native Philippine agroforestry species to the over 9,000 hectare protected forest reserve at UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant, based in Siniloan, Laguna: 50 lawaan, 50 Wild rambutan, 50 Cupang and 50 Kuling Baboy.
The species selection, spacing and site preparation, as well as planting facilitation was carried out by: Forester Reynaldo Lorida, Randy Velina, Rose Bocado, Freddie Chavez, Allan Libarnes, Shermae Canzana, Rodante Rasay, Joel Velina, Romeo Obien, and Jordan De Suyo.
After the main welcome and debrief by Forester Reynaldo Lorida, who described the sustainability efforts at the land grant to achieve its master planned functional, biodiversity protection and enhancement, livelihood and conservation model; and the short Ridge to REEForestation talk by FEED’s Director of Partnerships Anne-Marie M Bakker.
We proceeded to warm up and stretch at the camping site, put on our hardhats and start the 40 minute paced trail towards CPh’s planting site, which was in a semi-covered slopey area among pioneer species (those that serve a specific function), as we are waiting for the full blown daily rains to enable us to plant in open cogon areas, to achieve higher survival of 85% upwards.
Thank you Chiyoda Philippines Corporation EcoWarriors for your outstanding support and commitment to community reforestation, may the forest be with you all, always!
Photo & Video Gallery
GPS Coordinates of Planting Site
Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include:
About Chiyoda Philippines Corporation (CPh)
Chiyoda Philippines Corporation (CPh),is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiyoda Corporation (Yokohama, Japan), one of the largest engineering and construction companies in the world.
We are primarily engaged in engineering design serving the requirements of Chiyoda Corporation, presently undertaking Engineering, Procurement Support, Construction Management and other related works of various plants facilities mainly gas processing, petroleum refining and petrochemical plants and facilities. With a wealth of experience in the field of business, CPh has become a competitive engineering service contractor that led to the development of refinery and other related projects in the country.
For more details, visit: https://chiyodaphil.com.ph/
Empowering Communities: The Latest in Community-Based Forestry in the Philippines
In the Philippines, community-based forestry (CBF) has emerged as a powerful tool for both conservation and sustainable development. Empowering local communities to become stewards of their forests, CBF initiatives have gained momentum in recent years, bringing about positive changes in forest management practices and enhancing the well-being of forest-dependent communities. Here’s an update on the latest developments in community-based forestry across the archipelago.
Strengthening Local Governance
One of the key advancements in community-based forestry in the Philippines is the strengthening of local governance structures. Through devolved forest management agreements and community-based forest management agreements (CBFMA), indigenous peoples and local communities are granted rights to manage and protect forest resources within their ancestral domains or designated areas. This decentralization of forest governance empowers communities to make decisions that are aligned with their cultural values and socio-economic priorities.
Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods
CBF initiatives in the Philippines prioritize the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. By diversifying income-generating activities such as agroforestry, eco-tourism, non-timber forest product (NTFP) harvesting, and community-based enterprises, CBF not only reduces dependence on forest resources but also improves socio-economic resilience. These initiatives are often complemented by capacity-building programs and technical assistance to enhance the skills and knowledge of community members.
Enhancing Ecosystem Resilience
In addition to socio-economic benefits, community-based forestry contributes to the conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems. By implementing sustainable forest management practices, including reforestation, watershed protection, and biodiversity conservation measures, communities play a vital role in enhancing ecosystem resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices are integrated into forest management plans, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage and biological diversity.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress made, community-based forestry in the Philippines still faces challenges such as limited access to resources, insecure land tenure, conflicting land uses, and inadequate support from government agencies. However, there are also opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Strengthening partnerships between government, civil society, academia, and the private sector can help address these challenges and scale up successful CBF models.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, community-based forestry holds immense potential for fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship in the Philippines. By recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, promoting participatory decision-making processes, and integrating traditional knowledge with modern science, CBF can pave the way for inclusive and resilient forest management practices that benefit both people and the planet.
Community-based forestry is not just about managing forests; it’s about nurturing relationships between people and nature, fostering a sense of belonging, and building a brighter future for generations to come.
References:
- DENR. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management.
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management in the Philippines.
- USAID Philippines. (2022). Philippines Sustainable Forest Management Project.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management.
On Carbon Sequestration and Planting
Storing carbon is only one of the ways that trees could affect climate, says Cat Scott, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Leeds in England who was not involved in the research. Just how these other factors play off each other is not yet clear. She and colleagues have developed computer simulations of trees contributing to cooling a landscape by releasing airborne molecules that invite clouds to form.
Even something as simple as the darkness of tree leaves can change how much heat a landscape absorbs or reflects. Expanding forests into formerly snow-bright, reflective zones, for instance, might warm them. In the tropics, however, the enhanced cooling from clouds might be the more powerful effect.
Ultimately, in the struggle against climate change, such heroic tree planting merely “buys us time,” says study coauthor Jean-François Bastin, also an ecologist at ETH Zurich. But that’s time human societies could use to stop emitting greenhouse gases, the real solution to climate change, he says.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/planting-trees-could-buy-more-time-fight-climate-change-thought
CONTACT FEED
In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry.
FEED runs a number of Students and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE); Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – such as mangrove planting for coastal protection or ridge reforestation plantings; One Child, One Tree; Bio-Intensive Gardens (BIG) for nutrition in public elementary schools and other spaces; Climate Change Survival 101 and other LIVING LEGACY programs – customised environmental engagement activities for individuals and organisations interested in contributing to climate change adaptation efforts and greening critical areas such as watersheds, ridges, and reefs that all require rehabilitation.
Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
Check out the video journey by Clueless Commuter who planted with us last 24th of June 2017 to get a good idea of how FEED plantings go: https://youtu.be/KROn4rjVqBg
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
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