DAVAO City — THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), in collaboration with the Globe Group, has formally launched “Planting for the Future,” a groundbreaking reforestation initiative that aims to plant 3 million trees.
The program marks a significant step forward in conservation efforts for the endangered Philippine eagle by focusing on the restoration of its natural habitat while also addressing broader climate change and sustainability challenges.
“The ‘Planting for the Future’ program goes beyond simple planting. PEF will be involved throughout every stage of reforestation from the propagation and selection of seedlings to the maintenance of mature trees,” says Dennis I. Salvador, Executive Director, PEF.
“In line with our commitment to sustainability, the initiative is also designed to foster stakeholder collaboration, particularly with our partner communities, as well as provide transparency to our funders.”
End-to-end approach to conservation
“Planting for the Future” is a comprehensive approach that encompasses extensive activities including nursery care, site preparation, planting, monitoring, and database management. To help ensure success, it will focus on introducing climax native and fruit trees known suited to the conditions of the selected areas.
At the end of the program, PEF aims to rehabilitate 1,200 hectares of degraded land close to nine (9) Philippine eagle nesting sites through both restoration and agroforestry initiatives. These sites are located across four provinces of Mindanao: Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Sur. Apart from fostering biodiversity, including the Philippine eagle, the forest areas to be developed will also act as carbon sinks, with every young tree to be planted able to sequester a conservative estimate of 5 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per plant per year according to OneTreePlanted.
Further, the program is set to provide at least 150 jobs for PEF’s partner communities, many of which are inhabited by indigenous peoples (IP). These jobs primarily involve hiring staff to conduct nursery, planting, maintenance, and monitoring operations. These local communities will
receive reforestation training from PEF so they could take care of the trees to be planted in target areas. They will also get additional livelihood opportunities from harvesting the produce of fruit-bearing trees.
“What we are doing contributes to the national government’s forest restoration target as outlined in the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) which, in turn, aligns with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF),” shares Salvador, noting also the program’s alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Commitment to transparency
In a bid for greater openness, “Planting for the Future” makes use of a comprehensive database and tracking system that will be accessible to funders. This system, available at www.threemilliontrees.com/track, combines GIS and GPS-based technology to provide real-time updates on the progress of adopted plants, from their initial nursery care to ongoing monitoring efforts. Adopters are granted unique login credentials, offering them access to detailed information about all trees they have adopted.
Central to the monitoring process is the assignment of unique QR codes to each nursery seedling.
Jayson Ibañez, Director for Operations, PEF, says, “These codes serve as identifiers and are scanned regularly using a dedicated web application. Through this method, the system updates information on tree growth and characteristics, allowing for precise monitoring of each tree’s development.” He further adds that “with this data-driven approach, the project aims to closely track and evaluate the impact of reforestation efforts, including measurements of tree height, diameter at breast height, and carbon stock.”
“This move towards transparency aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to accountability in its operations,” says Felicia Atienza, President, PEF. “Through this mechanism, we empower stakeholders to actively participate in our reforestation journey.”
Send help via Globe, GCash
The launch event included an overview of the “Planting for the Future” program, a marker unveiling, and ceremonial tree adoptions. Among the notable attendees include representatives from Ayala Land, Inc., PK Holdings, and Enchanted Kingdom.
“Globe champions sustainability and fosters environmental stewardship not just by greening our operations but also by leveraging partnerships and engaging our customers so that we are able to take care of our environment together,” says Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.
Globe provided an overview of how it enables its customers and the general public to participate in the program. Globe offers convenient options for donations through GCash and soon, the GlobeOne app. GCash can be used for cash donations. Globe customers can soon also convert their Globe Rewards points into donations via the GlobeOne app. A Reward point is equivalent to PHP 1.
To donate, users can download the Globe Rewards app on their mobile device via https://www.globe.com.ph/rewards#GRewardsApp. Access the app and click the “Rewards” banner, then look for the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) under the “Donations” tab. For GCash donations, visit https://www. philippineeaglefoundation.org/donate-capital-campaign and scan the QR Code using the GCash app.
Support may also be sent via Paypal, where individuals can adopt a tree for PHP 250.
“As stewards of our nation’s natural heritage, we believe that every individual has a role to play in conservation. Together, we can make a difference and secure a brighter future not just for the Philippine eagle, but for all life that depends on healthy ecosystems.” Salvador adds.| – BNN
