PBSP reforests Tabunan, preserves Cebu’s environmental heritage

The Cebu cinnamon tree, scientifically known as Cinnamomum cebuense but popular among locals as kalingag, is endemic to the island province. It is an important source of camphor and essential oils used by pharmaceutical and perfume industries. Locally, the bark of the Cebu cinnamon tree is boiled or just chewed directly to cure stomach ache while its aromatic leaves are known remedies for various ailments.

The Cebu cinnamon tree, however, is critically endangered. According to Global Trees Campaign, there were only 57 individual Cebu cinnamon trees when the project started in 2004 and all were growing within Tabunan Forest, the last remaining forest fragment in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. By 2005, 691 species of the Cebu cinnamon were found in the southern Cebu municipalities of Alcoy and Dalaguete, although only 20 were considered mature. Moreover, the United Nations Environment Programme also included the Cebu cinnamon tree as a priority in its conservation efforts.

Because of its critical condition, the Cebu cinnamon tree was among the 11 indigenous tree species planted by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) when it kicked off its 2009 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan last June 27, 2009 at Sitio Cantipla, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City. An average of 30-50 seedlings were each planted by more than 200 individuals from 20 companies and institutions who participated the kick-off.

The Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan is PBSP’s annual tradition that began in 1991 with the goal of sustaining Metro Cebu’s water supply. Every year, during the rainy months of June to September, PBSP brings employees, students and volunteer individuals to plant trees in the Cebu Hillylands.

This year, PBSP will plant 250,000 indigenous seedlings in 100 hectares in Barangay Tabunan. Tabunan forest is Cebu’s most important biological stronghold. Aside from the Cebu cinnamon tree, critically endangered wildlife such as the Cebu Black Shama and Cebu Flowerpecker thrive within Tabunan’s close canopy forest. The indigenous trees planted by PBSP, such as almaciga, bitaog, guisok,kalingag, karingatingam, lawaan, magtalisay, mancono, taguilumboy, tiga, and toog, will help preserve Tabunan’s biodiversity.

To help achieve this year’s target, PBSP’s invites at least 3,000 volunteer tree planters to join the caravan every Saturday until September 26. PBSP prepares the tree-planting sites while the volunteers shall provide their own transportation, food and water, and tools like trowels or bolos. The 2009 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan is in partnership with the Kantipla Ecosystems Enhancement and Protection (KEEP) Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Since 1991, PBSP’s partnership with the business sector has resulted to the reforestation of 950 hectares. Meanwhile, partnerships with the government, donor agencies and communities have reforested 3,500 hectares. Beyond reforestation, PBSP is helping 2,500 households in the Cebu hillylands through projects on farming, alternative livelihood, and basic social services.

For booking arrangements, please call PBSP at (032) 232-5270 or 232-5283, or visit the PBSP Visayas Regional Office at the 4/F PLDT Building, Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City. You may also email at mblargo@pbsp.org.ph.

Help PBSP do more for the Cebu hillylands. Join the 2009 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan!

Join PBSP's Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2009!

Beyond the concrete and steel skyscrapers that are continuously sprouting in Metro Cebu’s soils during the last two decades, one is everyday greeted, especially during days with clear blue skies, by sights of mountain ranges perennially kissing the heavens. These mountain ranges are the Cebu Hillylands, also known as the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.
But the Cebu hilylands are not just backdrops of Metro Cebu’s growing economy. This landscape is home to numerous flora and fauna, and most significantly, the source of Metro Cebu’s water. To preserve this important ecological heritage, the reforestation of the Cebu hillylands remains at the forefront of PBSP’s development efforts.

Each year, during the rainy season, covering the months of June to September, PBSP brings thousands of volunteers from business, government, academe and civil society to plant trees in denuded areas in the Cebu Hillylands. The 2009 Cebu hillylands reforestation caravan will kick off in the morning of June 27, 2009 at Sitio Cantipla, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City. Interestingly, Tabunan is the home of the only second growth forest in Central Cebu. The site is approximately 45 minutes from Cebu City and can be reached via the transcentral highway. Assembly will be at 7:00 A.M. at Asiatown IT Park, specifically in the lot fronting Figaro at The Walk.

This year, PBSP gears to plant 250,000 indigenous seedlings in 100 hectares. This will be achieved by the participation of at least 3,000 volunteer tree planters. PBSP invites volunteers to join the caravan every Saturday starting on June 27 until September 26. PBSP prepares the tree-planting sites while the volunteers shall provide their own transportation, food and water, and tools like trowels or bolos.
Since 1991, PBSP’s partnership with the business sector has resulted to the reforestation of 950 hectares. Meanwhile, partnerships with the government, donor agencies and communities have reforested 3,500 hectares. Beyond reforestation, PBSP is helping 2,500 households in the Cebu hillylands through projects on farming, alternative livelihood, and basic social services.

For booking arrangements, please call PBSP at (032) 232-5270 or 232-5283, or visit the PBSP Visayas Regional Office at the 4/F PLDT Building, Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City. You may also email at mblargo@pbsp.org.ph.

Help PBSP do more for the Cebu hillylands. Join the 2009 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan!

Dacera, Cebu’s Vega top Olango swim challenge

Dacera, Cebu’s Vega top Olango swim challenge
By Iste Sesante-Leopoldo
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:52:00 04/19/2009

Expect Cebu to host more marathon swimming events in the future.

This developed after the successful staging of the 2nd Olango Open Swim Challenge 2009, which started at the Cebu Pacific Resort and ended at the Tambuli Beach Resort in Marigondon, Mactan yesterday.

Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) President Mark Joseph said Cebu is a perfect venue for swimming marathon because of its strategic location.

Joseph secured the 9th place in the event, clocking three hours and 12 minutes.

Joseph added that Cebu has everything to accommodate tourists who would be interested to join the sporting event, which is an additional sporting event in the Olympics.

Australian Dale Rennie was impressed with the race.

“I would love to see more of this in ten years,” Rennie said, who topped the fun category in two hours and 21 minutes.

Philippine Center for Excellence in Aquatic Sports members Nikita Dacera, Kiefer Tacao and Emmanuelle Plasabas took the top three spots, respectively, in the men’s competitive swimming category. Cebu’s multi-awarded Paula Vega, on the other hand, ruled the women’s category.

The 18-year-old Dacera retained his dominance in this 6.4-kilometer open-swim challenge after clocking one hour and 11 minutes followed by Tacao. Plasabas settled for third place.

Completing the top 10 in the men’s competitive swimming category are Cebu’s Michael David Vega (1:29:32), Wilfred Steven Uytengsu and Guy S Concepcion (1:32:20), Noy Jopson (1:34:22), Loi Rafols (1:37:49), Anthony Welsh (1:56:21) and Aaron Asuela Florentino (2:05:22).

Karen Angela Tiambeng finished second in the women’s side while Loveleinell Casidsid secured third place.

The competition was made possible by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in cooperation with PASA. The event aimed to improve the living conditions of the people in the island of Olango.

The 2nd Olango Challenge

Images of the 2nd Olango Challenge
Photos by the Photographers' Club of Cebu