Upland Forest Rehabilitation Project

It is apparent that climate change has affecting our reforestation project in Ajuy, Iloilo, Philippines. Since the first week of January, 2016, the temperature has raised up to 37 °C or 98.6 °F with no rain so the  caretakers have to pump and fetch water from the nearest well just to water individually at least twice a week the planted seedlings in the community forest of Barangay Badiangan, Ajuy, Iloilo. Luckily, these efforts have paid out since the survival rate of the planted seedlings since the start of the planting season in July 2015 is 80%.

The high survival rate of the planted seedlings is also attributed to the constant maintenance of the project site such as grass cutting at least four times a month, fertilizer application and cultivating the soil of the seedlings to promote good aeration and water permeability.

The established fire lines especially in the areas that are prone to forest fires are maintained in preparation for the summer season. Fire drill was conducted so that the caretakers will know what to do in case forest fire will happen. In some of the reforestation sites, bananas are planted along the fire lines to optimize the use of land. In a few months, the banana fruits will serve as food and income generating source of the caretakers. Some of the caretakers have planted leafy vegetables like local spinach and kangkong (Ipomoea aquatic) which they cook and eat for lunch when they do not have any food to eat.

With the unpredictable weather condition, raincoats and boots were given among the caretakers so that they could still work and maintain the project site even if it is raining. The boots are worn by the caretakers as protection from the poisonous snakes in the planting site.

Other than the good impact of the reforestation project to the environment, it is also helping in the provision of income source of the locals who were given with jobs in maintaining the project site. The wage that they are gaining are being used in their daily needs and sometimes used in sending their children in school.

On behalf of the locals of Ajuy especially the caretakers and their families who are benefitting from the project, I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest gratitude for the generosity of the GlobalGiving donors.