NEGROS Island exceeded its reforestation target under the 10M in 10 project for a Greener Negros Movement led by geothermal giant Energy Development Corporation (EDC).
Professor Pastor Malabrigo Jr, said that with 7,745,809 seedlings planted in just four years, “it is way above of the target of 10 million.”
“It is very strategic that it is being implemented in Negros because it is most devastated island in the country,” Malabrigo said.
He added that “what is beautiful about the project is that it is a collaborative effort with many volunteers from different sectors.”
There is also a high sense of awareness of the importance of reforestation especially the youth, he added.
Malabrigo, who was guest speaker during the fourth year anniversary program of the movement at the Capitol Social Hall Tuesday, December 10, said the major cause of deforestation in the Philippines is illegal logging.
But, he said that in recent years the “kaingin” system has contributed immensely to the forest degradation.
“Nothing is left in the kaingin system including residuals. What is worse is that many of our indigenous people are into shifting cultivation where they jump from one area of the forest to the other,” he also said.
Malabrigo also said that right now ‘it is the students themselves who care for trees.”
“At a very young age they already have a concern and knowledge about the trees,” he said.
In its yearend report, the movement said that as of December 2019, it had piloted nine out of nine mini-plans in 103 cities and municipalities in the island, conducted 902 planting activities, six cluster meetings and 166 partner agencies, organizations and groups. (TDE)