RAFI signs pact with CEAP to boost ecological campaign

CEBU, Philippines – To further strengthen its campaign for ecological protection, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement with Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), capping the week-long 2010 CEAP National Convention at Grand Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

RAFI's goal is to restore Philippine's biodiversity through its program "Generation, Redemption, and Expansion of Natural Resources Initiatives in the Philippines (GREENIN' Philippines).

CEAP President Msgr. Gerardo Santos and RAFI's Board of Trustees Treasurer Mikel A. Aboitiz signed the agreement.

RAFI's Center for Integrated Area Development Area executive director Ruth Rowena Alensonorin said the foundation's partnership with CEAP will enable the GREENIN' Philippines program to roll out its strategies at the national level.

She added it will also replicate best practices in environmental protection throughout the country.

"CEAP is hoping that this agreement will influence not only children of schools but also their families and communities," said Alensonorin.

CEAP vice president Fr. Gregorio Bañaga Jr. said became interested to partner with RAFI because of the latter's GREENIN' Philippines program that served as a venue for CEAP's 1,286 member schools to help protect the environment.

He also said that to collaborate with RAFI would mean hope for wider scope in preserving the environment.

"We are indeed looking forward to work with RAFI", Bañaga told The FREEMAN.

The GREENIN" Philippines program seeks to develop, protect, enhance, and co-manage denuded forestland and conservation.

RAFI's Chief Operating Officer Dominique Chua said the program is a continuous project like the usual tree-planting activity where they use native tree seedlings as viable planting materials.

Chua said they plant native trees like kamagong, molave, alke, tugas, narra, and bitanghol to restore and rehabilitate the environment.

"Through this program, we will be creating real forests", said Chua.

RAFI will coordinate closely with CEAP in the development of a detailed implementation plan and provide necessary technical support to realize the program.

As a partner, Fr. Bañaga said the CEAP will champion the program through cascading its purpose, principles, and interventions to its respective member schools. (FREEMAN)