Partners come together for reforestation

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 28, 2011) – Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) with private partners RD Foundation, Inc.; Gensan Shipyard, Inc. and Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (CLAFI) came together to “A Date With Nature” to reforest a denuded area in Kyumad Monday (February 28).

It is a five-hectare initial land area owned by Dominador Fernandez now being leased by Conal Holdings Corporation for its reforestation project.

“This is a TESDA-wide activity to help reforest our denuded areas as we are directed by the national government to participate,” Nora Guiloreza, TESDA provincial director, said.

The group planted 500 rubber seedlings in the grassland owned by Fernandez. Conal Holdings has a 7,500 hectare carbon sink project covering the highlands of barangays Amsipit, Seven Hills, Kablacan and Kamanga. Kyumad is a small community in Amsipit, home to the indigenous Blaan.

“With our nursery of rubber seedlings here, we can plant as many as we can, and we would like to thank you all for taking your part in protecting our environment,” Noli Cajutol of Conal Holdings carbon sink project said.

The nursery has 50,000 rubber seedlings as of now ready for planting.

CLAFI executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis led his staff and the team to the planting site. He hoped to see the hills in Amsipit and neighboring barangays planted with trees.

“We join the tree planting activity as part of our commitment to caring for the environment,” Magtulis said.

“This year, CLAFI’s endeavor is to join, to lead and be involved in more environmental protection programs for Sarangani’s forests and the bay. We have to care for Mother Nature from ridge to reef,” he added.

CLAFI has been giving assistance to Sarangani’s environmental and educational initiatives and making linkages with its partner non-government organizations.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office launched the International Day of Forests in February 2 with a planting activity in Langaran of barangay Kablacan.

Maasim has a total of 14,000 hectares of watershed areas that need rehabilitation. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)