Families of the San Cristobal Farmers Association manage a tree nursery whose seedlings are adopted by donors and then planted to bring back forests. As of today only 24% of forest remain in the country 

Daily, continuous efforts to bring back our natural forests are confronted by various issues that cramp its progress. Across the board, these initiatives are often faced by real social problems. These are either directly or indirectly, related or caused by the day-to-day activities of forest-dependent communities.

Being reliant on forest resources, many of these communities have long believed that the forest is their only means of survival. They perform unsound agricultural practices such as kaingin or slash and burn farming, timber poaching and tree cutting for charcoals. Some community members also aspire to own some of these tracts of land, public domain or otherwise.  

Native tree seedlings such as Malaruhat, Guijo, Ilang-Ilang, and the Bolong-eta await planting as low-lying clouds pass over Mt San Cristobal photo by 'Super' 

Oldest environmental organization Haribon Foundation confirms that on the ground, many forest-dependent communities are still struggling for survival to this day.

For over a decade, Haribon saw to the various forms of social dilemma that cripples forest restoration. Through years of experience, it has learned about the most important considerations to factor in to minimize potential social issues and conflicts.

The height of an Antipolo tree Artocarpus blancoi is recorded by a Peoples Organization member during regular maintenance visits of tree planting sites

• All stakeholders, including the basic unit of the community (i.e. barangay council), residents and People’s Organizations must be well-acknowledged and participating in the process.
• Local Government Units (LGUs) must take part in the implementation as they will eventually be the direct beneficiaries of the project.
• Prepare the people. Consider the social and environmental realities on the ground and deal with issues in a holistic perspective.
• When it comes to land claim issues, the problems and solutions are often within the community itself.
• LGUs play a huge role in resolving such issues.
• Strict implementation of the Barangay and Municipal Development Plans, Comprehensive Land-Use Plan and Forest Land-Use Plan are keys to avoiding and resolving land-related conflicts. 

Women members of the San Cristobal Farmers Association lead the management of tree nurseries to support 42 hectares of depleted forest lands 

Haribon’s ROAD to 2020 movement, a forest restoration program, serves remote communities where forests are in critical conditions. In the selection of restoration sites, Haribon chooses locations which are within the public domain such as Protected Areas (PAs). 

Young & old visit the nursery every Wednesday. ‘We know that it is our children who will benefit from what we do here,’ remarks a SCFA member. 

Open and denuded areas in PAs are being planted with native trees in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with the support of the community partners, Local Government Units, donors and volunteers.

Words by  Thaddeus Martinez | Photos: Courtesy of Nova Regalario