Bikers to raise funds for reforestation efforts in the Cordillera region

Organizers of the "Globe Cordillera Challenge" -- (from left) Antonio Manila of DENR; Yoly Crisanto of Globe;
JP Alipio of Cordillera Conservation Trust; and Rene Martin Go of Globe

A joint effort from a private sector and a non-profit organization would bring 250 bikers to the Cordillera mountains up North to shore up funds for a reforestation effort that would see 30,000 seedlings planted before the year ends.

It's an "intergenerational investment” to replenish the damaged Cordillera region, a vital catch basin for rain water for most of Luzon's major rivers that, in turn, provides the water needs of people in low-lying areas.It's also a vital resource area for water that serves the irrigation needs of thousands of hectares of farm land

On its second year, the “Globe Cordillera Challenge” is an environmental campaign that seeks to raise P600,000 to plant 30,000 seedlings, double that of the number of trees they were able to plant last year.

The project is a partnership between Globe, through its corporate social responsibility arm Globe Bridging Communities and the Cordillera Conservation Trust (CCT).

“More than making an institutional donation, we appreciate that the activity had intensified people's level of engagement in taking care of the environment. It helped create more environment advocates,” said JP Alipio, the executive director of the Cordillera Conservation Trust (a non-stock; non-profit organization dedicated to help preserve the Cordillera mountain ecosystem).

To raise the money needed to buy the seedlings (one seedling costs P20), the “Globe Cordillera Challenge” is inviting 250 bikers (compared to last year's 70) to bike for 40 kilometers starting from Burnham Park in Baguio City to the Provincial Capitol of Benguet in La Trinidad. It will be held on May 21 at exactly 6:00am.

“Last year's efforts enjoyed enormous success in terms of awareness and reaction from the public through their donations,” said Yoly Crisanto, head of Globe Corporate Communications. “This year, we raised the bar in terms of participation but the philosophy of empowering our employees to help save the environment is still the same.”

According to him, there were only 25 of them who plant the seedlings two years ago. But because of the media exposure they received from last year's effort, there were more than 1,000 volunteers today.

The seedlings to be planted would be comprised of 10 different species endemic to the region including pine trees in the higher grounds and Narra in the lower portion. Planting starts in June, during the rainy season to ensure a higher survival rate for the seedlings.

Aside from planting 30,000 seedlings in Benguet provinces, Alipio hopes to also use some of the funds to build small plant nurseries in the local communities and further encourage Cordillera mountain folks to take care of their environment.

Alipio said: “We hope to make the effort more sustainable to make people more aware on how to value and preserve the Cordillera region, the place they call home.”

* For more info on how to register and how to donate, please visit CCT's Facebook page or email Globe at bridgecom@globetel.com.ph. You may also call 7302624.

* RELATED BLOG ENTRIES: "What to expect at the Globe Run4Home marathon"
                                            "I could have gone for more!"
                                            "Official results for Globe Run4Home in!"