Smart partners agro-forestry project with Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 2, 2010) – The Smart Communications, Incorporated (SMART) Public Affairs Department in Mindanao has provided 10,000 rubber hills and other provisions for its reforestation project in Sarangani.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) head Noel Cariño noted the project contributes significantly to the province’s own reforestation project.

“At first, Smart made a pledge of commitment with the province in 2006 for the mangrove reforestation in Maitum and Alabel,” Cariño said. Smart provided mangrove propagules for the 6-hectare planting site in Maitum.

Smart has a total of 500 hectares for its reforestation project in Sarangani while the province has 2,200 hectares for its upland reforestation project.

Cariño said his office will employ agro-forestry technology for sustainable upland management and contour farming.

“This will include planting of fruit trees and cash crops which we plan to ask assistance from the other departments like the office of the agriculturist,” Cariño said.

“It’s an environmental program which is part of our corporate social responsibility,” Smart-Mindanao public affairs officer Haydee Bernabe said.

“In Sarangani, we chose rubber and coffee plantation to provide livelihood for the community. These fruit trees bear fruits faster and can be managed more easily.”

Smart purchased more than 200 kilos of coffee or 750,000 seedlings for propagation from Nestle Philippines. In a hectare of land, 20 hills of rubber can be planted.
Smart also provided 10,000 6’x8’ cellophanes for planting hills.

“Our main job is to strengthen the communities by providing them technical trainings in order to sustain the project,” Cariño said.

Barangays to receive Smart’s reforestation project are New Aklan in Glan, Alegria in Alabel, barangays Lun Masla and Patag in Malapatan, and Falel in Kiamba.

The project includes a tree-planting site in Bagacay, Alabel to develop the town’s Septage Treatment Facility into an eco-park.

PENRO also helped Conal Holdings Corporation’s reforestation of 7,500 hectares focused on the MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) Industrial Triangle as “carbon sequestration” project for its 200 megawatt power generation plant in Maasim. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)