Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008 Kick Off!

Assembly Area of PBSP's
Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008
Kick Off Day
June 28, 2008
Asiatown I.T. Park
Lahug, Cebu City

Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008

Mt. Manunggal, which stands over 3,000 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in Cebu. It is famed in the province because President Ramon Magsaysay died in the area when his plane, Mt. Pinatubo, crashed in Mt. Manunggal’s thick forest on March 15, 1957. According to history, there was only survivor and it took several days for rescuers to respond to the disaster because more than 90% of the area was forested.

Mt. Manunggal is located within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) – a 29,000-hectare watershed and source of Metro Cebu’ water. As of 1990, however, less than 10% of the CCPL, also called the Cebu Hillylands, is forested. The rapid denudation of the CCPL vis-à-vis the threat to Metro Cebu’s water supply are the rallying points behind Philippine Business for Social Progress’ (PBSP) Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008, which will run during the months of June to October. The Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008 will kick off this June 28, 2008, 8:30a.m. in Barangay Magsaysay (vicinity of Mt. Manunggal), Municipality of Balamban, Cebu.

The conservation of the CCPL is relevant to Metro Cebu’s sustainable development. Metro Cebu extracts its water from the aquifer, a groundwater reservoir, and the presence of forest cover sustains the water stored in the aquifer. Since 1991, PBSP’partnerships with the business sector, government and community-based organizations resulted to the planting of over 12 million forest and fruit tree species in 4,900 hectares.

Companies, schools, NGO’s, government offices and other institutions are invited. The Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008 is dedicated for the preservation of the environment and local history. One of the highlights of the event will be the planting of the manunggal seedlings, known to cure skin diseases, fevers, rheumatism, asthma and chest infections, but otherwise almost extinct in the area.

PBSP is the country’s biggest corporate-led foundation implementing human development projects such as poverty reduction, education, health, environment and entrepreneurship. For more information about PBSP and the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008, please call (032) 232-5270 or 232-5283.

Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2008

The Central Cebu Protected Landscape, better known as the Cebu Hillylands, is a 29,062-hectare land area located at the geographic center of the Cebu province. It is home to five watersheds, namely, Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Central Cebu National Park, Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve and Sudlon National Park. It is Metro Cebu’s source of water.

Today, more than 70% of the Cebu Hillylands still lacks forest cover. Reforesting the Cebu Hillylands means increasing the amount of water that can be provided for Cebu’s households and industries. Reforestation also responds to the global movement to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Since 1991, PBSP mobilizes employees, students, families and individuals from various institutions to plant trees in the Cebu hillylands.

Pick your dates!
June 28 - Magsaysay, Balamban
July 05 - Magsaysay, Balamban
July 12 - Tabunan, Cebu City
July 19 - Buhisan, Cebu City
July 26 - Magsaysay, Balamban
August 02 - Buhisan, Cebu City
August 09 - Sudlon 1, Cebu City
August 16 - Magsaysay, Balamban
August 23 - Buhisan, Cebu City
August 30 - Tabunan, Cebu City
September 06 - Tabunan, Cebu City
September 13 - Buhisan, Cebu City
September 20 - Magsaysay, Balamban
September 27 - Magsaysay, Balamban
October 04 - Buhisan, Cebu City
October 11 - Pong-ol Sibugay, Cebu City
October 18 - Magsaysay, Balamban
October 25 - Buhisan, Cebu City

Every Saturday, assembly time is 6:30 a.m. and departure time is 7:30 a.m. The activity will be completed by 12:00 noon. For reforestation activities in Tabunan, Sudlon 1 and Pong-ol Sibugay, Cebu City and Magsaysay, Balamban, the assembly area is Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City. For Buhisan, the assembly area is Paseo Arcenas, Banawa, Cebu City.

What to wear?
 Tee shirt or long-sleeved shirt
 Maong or jogging pants
 Sneakers or rubber shoes
 Sunglasses
 Wide-brimmed hat or cap

What to bring?
 Planting tools like bolo or trowel
 Gloves
 Food and water
 Extra shirt and pants
 Alcohol, hand sanitizer and sun-block

Groups are encouraged to:
 Bring a streamer
 Bring their own vehicle
 Provide uniform shirts for their employee volunteers (optional)

During the caravan, PBSP assisted cooperatives will sell vegetables, vermicompost (organic fertilizer), processed food items, handicrafts and virgin coconut oil, among other products.

Call PBSP at (032) 232-5270 or 232-5283.