Rafi, Cansumoroy farmers grow native trees

CEBU, Philippines - Five hundred native tree seedlings will be planted by the Kapunongan sa Mag-uuma sa Cansumoroy (KASAMACA), as agreed through a partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) inked last March 25.

KASAMACA will plant and nurture the 500 native tree seedlings provided by RAFI. These seedlings will be planted at the back of Cansumoroy Elementary School. The group will ensure proper care and maintenance to achieve at least 95 percent of seedling survival rate.

KASAMACA will also submit to RAFI a report on the growth of the seedlings every three months, within the first two years of plantation.

On RAFI’s end, quarterly on-site monitoring on the growth of seedlings will be made. RAFI will also submit to KASAMACA recommendations on the maintenance of the planted seedlings.

This initiative of RAFI is under its Integrated Development unit Generation REdemption, and Expansion of Natural Resources INitiatives (GREENIN) Philippines Program to ensure environmental sustainability by reversing the loss of environmental resources through the utilization of native tree species in its interventions in restoring and rehabilitating degraded forests and idle lands.                                               GREENIN Philippines Program is one of the programs under RAFI’s Integrated Development focus area. It aims to address environmental problems by undertaking initiatives for the protection, conservation, and rehabilitation of our country’s forests. RAFI’s other focus areas are Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, Leadership & Citizenship, and Education.

For more information about the GREENIN Philippines Program, please contact 418-7234 loc. 515 and look for Bonifacio Amper, or visit www.rafi.org.ph/greenin-philippines or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph, or follow RAFI on Twitter, @rafiorgph.