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The College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) launched two reforestation programs that aim to conserve biodiversity and help mitigate the effects of climate change during the College’s 17th reorganization anniversary celebration on June 25. These are the tree-planting project named “UPLB-EDC Binhi Biodiversity Park” and the information technology-based “Individual Tangible Response to Ecosystem Enhancement (iTREE) Program.”
The UPLB-EDC Binhi Biodiversity Park is envisioned to showcase 96 tree species that are endemic to the Philippines. In the soft launching of the biodiversity park, deans of other UPLB colleges and CFNR constituents planted seedlings of tree species from the families of Myrtacea, Ebenaceae, Fabaceae, and Dipterocarpaceae in an area behind the Department of Forest Biological Sciences (DFBS) Building. According to Prof. Juancho Balatibat, DFBS chair, having a biodiversity park within the premises of DFBS was conceptualized more than two decades ago. He said that it was only last year when the park materialized through a partnership with the Energy Development Corporation (EDC). EDC, which has an existing greening program called “Binhi,” aims to “bring back vanishing trees that are highly valued and those that are native to the Philippines,” according to its website. “I’m sure that EDC and UPLB-CFNR will go hand in hand in conserving endemic tree species,” expressed Prof. Balatibat about the partnership. In his message on behalf of EDC, Mr. Reinero Medrano, the company’s Mt. Apo Geothermal Business Unit manager, advocated the conservation of endemic and prime timber tree species of the Philippines, such as Tindalo and Kamagong. Both have been listed in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Administrative Order 2007-1 as “Endangered” and “Critically Endangered” plant species, respectively. Meanwhile, iTREE Program uses geomatics to complement reforestation initiatives. According to Dr. Nathaniel Bantayan, director of CFNR’s Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) and program proponent, the iTREE Program allows computer users to see the exact location and basic metrics information of a specific tree planted within the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve. This is through a map that can be viewed at MCME’s website, www.mountmakiling.org. Information also includes not only the common and scientific names of a tree, but also the name of the person who planted it and the date it was planted. Dr. Willie P. Abasolo, CFNR dean, said that the iTREE Program would allow the planters to monitor the growth of their trees in the reforestation area. He described the iTREE Program as “state-of-the-art” and bannered it among high school students present in the event to advocate the study of forestry. “Forestry is not only about planting trees; it is also about using technologies,” he explained. UPLB deans - Dr. Enrico Supangco (College of Agriculture), Dr. Felino Lansigan (College of Arts and Sciences), Dr. Raden Piadozo (College of Human Ecology), Dr. Josefina Dizon (College of Public Affairs), and Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr. (Graduate School) - graced the anniversary celebration and planted seedlings that bear their names. Also present in the occasion were Dr. Myrna Carandang, university registrar and professor at CFNR; Dr. Ramon Razal, former CFNR dean; Prof. Ronniel Manalo, CFNR associate dean; Dr. Lucrecio Rebugio and Dr. Mercedes Garcia, professor emeriti; and CFNR faculty, staff, and students. EDC representatives were led by Ms. Tracy Peralta, Corporate Social Responsibility Department officer-in-charge, and Atty. Allan Barcena, Watershed Management Department manager. Students from Los Baños National High School and Los Baños Integrated School also witnessed the ceremonies. (MJE Gloria)