By Ma. Grazen Acerit | Project Coordinator
“I cannot explain the excitement that I felt when Project Manager Rojas announced that I will be part of the group of caretakers who will be cross visiting the reforestation project of OISCA in the Northern part of the Philippines,” said by Mr. Elpidio (61).
With an objective to further inculcate among the minds of the project caretakers the importance of the Upland Forest Restoration Project, OISCA Ajuy organized the two-day educational tour in the 500 hectares flagship reforestation project of OISCA in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.
Elpidio is one of the pioneer caretakers in the reforestation project before the site was hit by Typhoon Haiyan. He commented that before Haiyan, the upland areas of Ajuy were almost the same as the site that they have visited in Nueva Vizcaya.
Elpidio mentioned that the best learning that he had on his trip is the importance of establishing and maintaining fire lines in the forested areas to protect the established vegetation from wild fires. He also added that the most enjoyable part of their visit is when Mr. Lopez, Nueva Vizcaya Reforestation`s Project Manager allowed them to pick and eat rambutan and citrus fruits from the trees planted in the project site.
“Planting of local species of trees are also good but planting of fruit trees seem to be much better since in can be a good source of our income in the future,” Elpidio said. With a family of 6 and living in less than 300 USD a month, the extra money that he could get from selling fruits harvested from the project site can help in sending his grand children to school.
In preparation for the summer season in January, the project caretakers led by Elpidio will start clearing the boarders of the project for the establishment of fire lines in December. Along the cleared fire lines they are planning to plant banana, papaya and pineapple to create a natural barrier that could help lessen the fast spread of fire in case wild fires happen. Moreover, the profits that they could get from selling banana and papaya could add in their monthly income.
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