THE Global Business Power (GBP) Corp. and West Visayas State University (WVSU) have partnered to launch the Handumanan Reforestation and Carbon Sink Project in a 150-hectare tract of land in the province of Iloilo.
The reforestation program aims to mitigate climate change and promote environmental awareness by planting trees that will serve as a carbon sink.
Handumanan is a Hiligaynon term that means “legacy.”
GBP, through subsidiaries Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) and Panay Power Corp. (PPC), has adopted a property owned by WVSU-CAF in barangays Jayubo and Sagcup in the municipality of Lambunao.
“The 150-hectare carbon sink area inside the WVSU-CAF campus highlights the shared commitment of GBP and WVSU to help conserve the environment and combat climate change,” GBP President Jaime T. Azurin said in a statement.
“This partnership between GBPC and WVSU is one big step toward ensuring the survival of our future generation. Our joint effort to plant trees and preserve our forestland is a legacy of love for humanity and Mother Earth,” said Dr. Luis M. Sorolla Jr., WVSU president. WVSU considers the project its first PPP or public-private partnership.
The seven-year project will have the first four years devoted to planting and establishment of the reforestation areas, while the remaining three years will be for the maintenance of the planted trees.
Under the memorandum of agreement, a minimum of 67,000 seedlings must be planted per year. Prior to coordination and preliminary work on the reforestation project, GBP had been conducting planting activities in the area since 2015. It is estimated that 1,666 trees can be planted in 1 hectare, with provision for 2×3 meters of spacing in between trees.
In support of the project’s agro-forestry component, two types of trees will be planted—forest trees that are native to the area like narra, and fruit-bearing trees like jackfruit. Tall forest trees provide canopy while shorter fruit-bearing trees provide a livelihood.
“The project is envisioned to be sustainable and to go beyond compliance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate by incorporating community organizing and development,” GBP Panay Operations Head Petronilo R. Madrid said.