Japanese firm launches environmental program

CEBU, Philippines - The Kanepackage Group of Companies, a  Japanese paper-based and packaging firm, launched recently its  Coastal Greenbelt Project and gave recognition to its partner groups and to the coastal communities in the Visayas region.

The Coastal Greenbelt Project aims to rehabilitate, protect and manage mangroves and beach forests in the Philippines. It complements the company's CSR program, Plant 5 Million Mangroves in Five Years which was launched in 2009.

According to Abner Barnuevo, Project Coordinator of the KP Company, the company has already planted around 5.8 million mangroves in  four Visayan coastal communities  covering a total of 162 hectares.

Different coastal communities have benefited the company's environmental advocacy, said Barnuevo. Among these coastal groups are the Olango Island  Eco-Tours Association in Lapu-Lapu City,  Manipis Fisherfolks Association in Tanjay, Negros Oriental,  Banacon Fisherfolks and Mangroves Association and Banacon Growers of Seaweeds and Mangroves Association, both of Getafe, Bohol.

Aside from mangrove planting, the company has also built school buildings in Bohol and a day care center in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City. 

Since the coastal community in Tanjay was only covered by the group last March, Barnuevo said that they are still thinking of possible projects that will positively affect the fisherfolks aside from mangrove planting.

"People organizations are the frontline in protecting the coastal areas", Barnuevo said.

That is why the company is giving cash incentives through monthly honorarium in exchange for their management and protection of the mangroves.

"We learn lesson from typhoon Haiyan," said Al Orolfo, Office-in-Charge and Regional Technical Director of Department of Environment Natural Resources- 7.

He said that  the planting sites in the Visayas area served as green walls that protect the coastal residents from flood.

39-year old Stella Oral, a mother of two kids from Barangay Sabang, Olango Island said that planting mangroves is a big help for them.

"Gawas sa financial aspect, makatabang sad siya ilabi nag naay storm surge," she said.

Oral and the rest of the group does coastal clean-up twice a week.

Oral's group is one of the three coastal communities that received a plaque of appreciation from KG Company President Yoshizaku Kanesaka. (FREEMAN)