News

Rainforestation-based Collaboration in Calawis, Antipolo Signed

Posted on March 21, 2016

The Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) has signed into a partnership with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (IHMP) and CalawisPunlaan Bayan, Inc. (CPBI) for a rainforestation-based forest restoration initiative in Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on January 15, 2016 and is in effect through December 31, 2018.

From left to right: Mr. Godofredo T. Villapando, FPE Executive Director; Dr. Paciencia P. Milan, FPE Chair and CEO; Fr. Angelito S. Ancla, CMF, IHMP Parish Priest; and Ronald B. Neri, CPBI President. (FPE file photo)

The partnership is grounded on the adoption of science-based forest restoration in BrgyCalawis, in an effort to support the reforestation of the Upper Marikina Watershed. The joint effort specifically highlights the use of the Rainforestation concept, which is a sustainable forest restoration approach that promotes the use of native tree species. Together, FPE, IHMP and CPBI are coordinating and mobilizing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development(BCSD) activities within the context of the conservation of God’s creation, as most recently iterated in the papal encyclical, Laudato Si.

The key roles and responsibilities of each party as stated in the MOU are as follows:

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

• To advocate and campaign about Rainforestation among parishioners and IHMP-assisted communities, among others;
• To take the lead in resource mobilization and turnover of generated funds to FPE; and
• To mobilize community services and extension programs to support the project’s objectives and outcomes.

CalawisPunlaan Bayan, Inc.

• To lead the identification, survey, mapping, and delineation of Rainforestation areas;
• To provide ready-to-plant, good quality native and fruit-bearing tree seedlings; and
• To lead the planting, maintenance, monitoring, and protection of Rainforestation areas.

Foundation for the Philippine Environment

• To provide technical support to CPBI on the identification and mapping of Rainforestation areas, community tree nursing establishment and management,Rainforestation farm development, and BCSD-based maintenance, monitoring and protection;
• To provide IHMP with reference materials and capacity-building on environmental conservation advocacy and information, education, and campaign (IEC) activities;
• To manage and guarantee timely disbursement of funds to CPBI; and
• To provide counterpart resources and programs to support the objectives and outcomes of the project.