Over the years, we, humans, kill the same thing that keeps us alive.

The continuous exploitation of our rich natural resources, mindless use of non-renewable energy, irresponsible waste disposal, and apathy to our environment put our country in jeopardy.

But it’s not too late to turn the tables.

Trees of Hope

Reviving our nature does not necessarily mean a single heroic act. Sometimes, it means coming together and planting trees.

On June 15, Haribon Foundation and Magellan Solutions facilitated a tree planting activity in Barangay Tanauan, Real, Quezon.

“I think it’s very crucial for companies to promote environmental activities like this because it helps encourage people to look after the environment. It’s very critical that we take care of the environment right now because of greenhouse gasses and environmental changes,” Fred Chua, the chief executive officer of Magellan Solutions stated.

For six months, the Barangay Tanauan Farmers Association took care of the 2,500 seedlings that were planted on the site. After the said activity, they will look after the native trees to ensure its growth and survival.

Together with some Haribon officers and BATAFA members, around 120 employees devoted their time to plant 2,500 native trees.

“What we’re doing right now is to establish those areas where a good variety of native trees can start re-establishing the entire area so that hopefully, someday, the entire Sierra Madre mountain range can recover its former coverage of natural forest,” Joseph Riel A. Senga, the partnerships officer of Haribon Foundation said.

He also added that this project does not only tap with forest restoration tree planting.

“We’re also working with the local communities [through education and awareness campaign] to ensure that the area becomes [a] suitable habitat. The project that we have is actually the Species of Hope for the Northern Rufous Hornbill so we’re re-establishing its habitat here in [the] Sierra Madre specifically in Real.”

During the orientation, the president of the Barangay Tanauan Farmers Association (BATAFA) explained that this activity is particularly important for them to prevent landslides in the near future.

Forests for Life Program Coordinator Thaddeus Martinez recounted that back in 2004, a massive landslide killed thousands of people in the towns of Real, Infanta, and General Nakar.

Declining forest cover, increasing human needs

The growth of our population is inversely proportional to the growth of our forest.

To support our needs, at least 54 percent of the total land area of the Philippines should be covered with forests. However, based on the 2015 data from the Philippine Forestry Statistics, we only have 22.8 percent of forest cover left due to reckless logging, slash-and-burn farming (kaingin), and mining activities.

This has been a very sharp decline.

According to Global Forest Watch, the Philippines lost 1.09 million hectares of tree cover from 2001 to 2017. This is equivalent to a 5.9 percent decrease since 2000 and 118 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Aside from sustaining our needs, forests also serve as a climate buffer, Partnerships Officer Senga emphasized.

“It’s very imperative for us to keep doing these kinds of restoration works because in the end, [it’s] up to us to make ourselves more resilient to future changes, especially in the face of climate change,” he added.

Philippine forests need more native trees

A total of 12 species of native trees were planted in the area that was grown and taken care of BATAFA members for six months prior to the tree planting activity.

Philippine native trees should be planted on tree planting activities to restore the ecological equilibrium of the forest.

“We really want to promote [the] awareness and [the] use of native trees for forest restoration,” Martinez stressed.

The use of native trees in environmental efforts is the best way to restore our natural forests as it encourages the return or increase of biodiversity.

Unfortunately, loggers usually have their eyes on slow-growing and hardwood native trees due to its high-value in the market. Such irresponsible logging activities would then strip off the habitat of the Philippine wildlife.

Meanwhile, using exotic trees in tree planting activities, such as mahogany, destroys the equilibrium in forested areas.

Unlike exotic trees, native trees are more resilient. It has already co-evolved with other Philippine flora and fauna for million years — the reason why it can support richer biodiversity.

A long-term partnership

More than a hundred employees of Magellan Solutions, staff and volunteers of Haribon Foundation, and members of the local farmers association took part in planting 2,500 native trees in order to restore an area in Real, Quezon which is believed to be a habitat of the Northern Rufous Hornbill (locally known as Kalaw).

“Because it is a five-year plan, Magellan Solutions is looking at the long-term aspects of environmental change,” Chua said.

Earlier this year, some employees also participated in a 3D mapping activity in the Haribon headquarters.

As part of its long-term partnership, several activities are expected to take place in the future.

Along with 100+ employees, our company CEO, Fred Chua, also climbed the mountain, slid on dirt, planted trees, and contributed to restoring the Sierra Madre mountain range.

The Sierra Madre, also known as the “backbone of Luzon,” is the longest mountain range in the Philippines.