Upland Forest Rehabilitation Project

On the 27th of May, a total of more than 20 victims of Typhoon Yolanda  were organized for the tree planting activities at the foot of the devastated forest in Ajuy, Iloilo. In collaboration with the local government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the residents of affected communities, the Upland Forest Rehabilitation Project is already helping in the gradual recovery of the struggling victims as they are provided with jobs in the forest related activities. 

Prior to the actual project implementation, with the assistance of the local government, OISCA adopted the participatory approach through community organizing to be able to involve the disaster victims in terms of identifying and finding solutions to the problem. 

“I saw how our forest protected us from the impact of the typhoon. However, now that most of the trees are uprooted, I am worried that what if another much stronger typhoon will come, what will be our natural shield”, was the question raised by Jose Siazon (47 years old) during the community organizing. It was then decided during the meeting that local species of trees that are wind resistant and fruit bearing trees will be planted.

Because of the absence of rain, the locals including the school children initially planted 300 saplings of guava or Psidium guajava, lansones or Lansium domesticum and durian or Durio zibethinus. To ensure the survival of the planted seedlings, the locals are watering the planted seedlings. When the rain comes, another 6,000 saplings of local species of seedlings and fruit bearing trees are to be planted by the locals.