THERMA Visayas, Inc. (TVI), in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) through its One to Tree (RAFI OTT) program, has reached a major milestone: the successful cultivation of one million seedlings in Cebu’s upland areas. The achievement is part of their Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP).
Launched in Toledo City in 2017, this collaborative effort has since expanded across nine other municipalities and cities, reforesting 1,250 hectares and supporting 701 farmers. The partnership, anchored in a shared vision for a greener and climate-resilient Cebu by 2027, showcases how environmental restoration and community development can go hand in hand.
The program was implemented together with key government agencies and local government units, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 7, Environmental Management Bureau 7, and the LGUs of Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Borbon, Cebu City, Dumanjug, Pinamungajan, Ronda, Toledo City, and Tuburan.
“At RAFI, we go beyond nurturing trees. We also nurture partnerships—with organizations and, most importantly, with communities. This collaboration with TVI didn’t just grow saplings; it empowered 701 farmers, who have earned over ₱20 million in incentives since 2017 through seedling production, plantation establishment, and maintenance activities,” shared Riella Mae Guioguio, Chief Operating Officer of RAFI, during the CSMP Milestone Celebration held on June 26, 2025, in Barangay Bato, Toledo City.
Despite challenges such as droughts, storms, and the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette, the program has endured. Thanks to the hard work of our partner farming communities and the unwavering support of our collaborators, the milestone of one million native seedlings stands as proof that with resilience, care, and purpose-driven partnerships, growth is always possible.
Both TVI and RAFI OTT believe that environmental sustainability is best achieved when it is rooted in the community. By providing livelihood opportunities alongside reforestation efforts, the Carbon Sink Management Program proves that what is good for the planet can also uplift the people who protect it.
Reaching the one million seedling mark ahead of schedule is a milestone, but the partnership continues until 2027, with a commitment to nurturing forests, empowering communities, and creating a lasting impact. (PR)