The Bangsamoro people through the Hineleban Foundation have partnered with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to reforest the Lanao del Sur mountain range.
The two Phlippine foundations have committed to rehabilitation work on 100 hectares of denuded watershed in the mountain range of Amai Manabilang. The reforestation project aims to bring back the flora and fauna to the Bangsamoro region which provides livelihood to 20 families in Barangay Pagunayan.
The mountain range of Amai Manabilang is inhabited by the Bisaya, Ilocanos, Ilonggos, Ivatans, Moto Maranaws, and other smaller ethnic groups. Crop planting of corn, buckwheat, soba, and sugarcane are their main source of livelihood in the area.
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Maricris San Diego, BPI Foundation Executive Director, said in a media release sent to Good News Pilipinas that the project is part of the Foundation’s Mindanao Rainforestation and Transformational Business project.
“We see this partnership will significantly help restore the ecosystem and consequently bring more rain to increase agricultural production. This initiative will provide food security in the area and sustainable, disposable income for 20 families in the identified project site,” said the BPI official.
BPI Foundation’s partnership with Hineleban Foundation will engage the local communities to be custodians of the land they till. They will provide sustainable livelihod opportunities to ensure conservation of the reforested site.
Major components of the project include:
- social preparation
- Family Food Security Cycle (FFSC)
- Sustainable Disposable Income Component (SDIC)
- Rainforestation, Values and Leadership Transformation Program
- Community Development Planning
The social preparation component involved engagement with the local leaders and community members. The Family Food Security Cycle was established through 3,500 square meters of shared farming land. Hineleban Foundation was given technical and marketing efforts for the products.
The Lanao del Sur mountain range rainforestation will eventually lead to the planting of indigenous trees such as the oak, dipterocarp, and select commercial species.
Community stewardship is emphasized throughout the project implementation.
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“It has always been our commitment to work with communities and experts in developing solutions to create a more sustainable environment for the benefit of generations to come,” San Diego added.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation has been working on similar projects since 1978.
SEND your good wishes in the comments section below for Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation and Hineleban Foundation for their efforts to set up sustainable practices at the Lanao del Sur mountain range!
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