REFORESTATION PROJECT, a Joint Venture of the Higaonon Tribe and the Columban Missionaries

REFORESTATION PROJECT, a Joint Venture of the Higaonon Tribe and the Columban Missionaries

by Marjorie Engcoy, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Animator – Mindanao

The Higaonon tribal community of Sitio Canaan, Dansolihon, through their ecological wisdom and close relationship with their natural surroundings, is our community partner in our advocacy for reforestation. Despite their battle regarding ancestral domain ownership against land grabbers and blurred government policies, they remain hopeful and pro-active in promoting their culture and way of life.

There are now at least 1,000 indigenous trees being nurtured by the community since the reforestation project began, with about 100 of these trees planted by the Columban Missionaries. This is in response to the rapid loss of rainforest areas in Northern Mindanao due to excessive and illegal logging activities. It also promotes the planting of Philippine native trees.

A women’s group organized in the community, called ASAWAKA, planted a row of trees at the entrance of the site. An estimate of at least 30 seedlings were planted and are now being nurtured by the association members.

The tree growing project started in 2.5 hectares of land where the first young trees were planted. Now, it has begun to expand at the 82 hectares of land nearby.  A water system powered by solar panels was also installed with the help of the Columban Missionaries to help maintain the project and the livelihood of the community.

Rows of now grown native trees planted by the Columban Missionaries in 2018