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Partners for environment protection. Fourteen individuals and institutions signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) in restoring the Philippine’s biodiversity through the Generation, REdemption, and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines (GREENIN Philippines) Program of RAFI. These partners include (sitting from L-R) Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa General Manager Joachim Schutte, RAFI President Roberto Aboitiz, Aboitizland Chief Operating Officer Andoni Aboitiz, RAFI Chief Operating Officer Dominica B. Chua, (standing from L-R) DELSAN Office System Corp. Business Manager Cliff Bargamento, Cebu Association of Biological Society President Evanjohnn Mendoza, wild birds expert Nilo Arribas, Cebu Mountaineering Society President Jonathan Consuji, Cebu Bloggers Society President Vernon Go, Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence Chairman Razilee Rae Ligaray, Niña Erica Uymasuy of Saint Scholastica Academy, University of the Visayas (UV) College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Estrella Navarro, UV College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Emma Yaun, UV Biological Society President Richiel Policher and Vice President Ralph Jieil Orbigozo, and private landowner Rudy Chua. Not present in the photo are private landowner Ramon Vidal and environment advocate John Keiner.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) partnered with 14 individuals and institutions in restoring the Philippine’s biodiversity through the Generation, REdemption, and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines (GREENIN Philippines) Program of RAFI.

The partnership was sealed through a formal Memorandum of Agreement Signing held at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center last Nov. 19.

The agreement was signed by RAFI President Roberto Aboitiz and representatives from the 14 partner individuals and institutions. They include AboitizLand, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence, Cebu Association of Biology Students, Cebu Bloggers Society, Cebu Mountaineering Society, DELSAN Office System Corp., Saint Scholastica Academy, University of the Visayas-College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Visayas-College of Pharmacy, land owners Rudy Chua and Ramon Vidal, wild life expert Mr. Nilo Arribas, and environment advocate Mr. John Kiener.

Under the agreement, the partners will collaborate with and support RAFI by adopting the GREENIN Philippines Program; serve as the program champions by cascading program framework to its affiliates and subsidiaries located in different parts of the country; and plan and implement the program in accordance with the GREENIN Philippines Manual of Operations as well as undergo a comprehensive capability building program in the implementation and management of the program.

For its part, RAFI will serve as program integrator and process holder; closely coordinate with the partner in the planning and implementation of the program in accordance with the Manual of Operations of the GREENIN Philippines Program; facilitate the transfer of program technologies, systems and capacities to program partners or implementers; provide the partners with the necessary data and information required in program implementation; provide the necessary technical support to the partners in the implementation of the GREENIN Philippines Program; and keep the partners updated of the program status and developments by furnishing program reports regularly.

The GREENIN Philippines Program aims to rehabilitate and maintain the environment by collaborating with various institutions and businesses that promote the protection and rehabilitation of the environment by using native tree species.

The GREENIN Philippines Program is anchored on the lessons and insights gained from years of undertaking sound and viable environmental interventions. It is designed to enhance and maintain environmental integrity by restoring biodiversity. It seeks to develop, protect, enhance and co-manage denuded forestlands, brushlands and degraded residual natural forests and even private lots.

The reforestation component of GREENIN’ Philippines deviates from the traditional tree planting activities in the country and will develop real forests in critical areas like watersheds and denuded forestlands.

Stakeholders and partners will be equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills to be able to manage program implementation. Post-planting activities such as weeding, watering, applying fertilizer to the seedlings, and monitoring of the tree plantations will be performed to ensure the survival of the trees.

The GREENIN’ Philippines Program is one of the programs under RAFI’s integrated development focus area, one of the five key areas in RAFI’s comprehensive approach to elevating lives and communities. Its other focus areas are Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, Leadership & Citizenship, and Education.

For more information about the GREENIN’ Philippines Program, please contact Neil Papas at 418-7234 loc. 515.