TAFT sustains efforts on coastal reforestation

The conviction of the necessity to initiate activities relative to environmental sustainability vis-a-vis homebuilding projects was the driving force behind the multi-sectoral green crusade that TAFT Property Venture Development Corporation embarked on last October 28 in barangay Obong, Dalaguete town.

TAFT is a solid and dynamic developer that catered originally to low-end market and then later served the middle-end market. It is backed by Vicsal Development Corporation the company responsible for the Metro Gaisano chain of stores.

Said environmental effort last October 28 may just be "a gauze or band-aid" to severe wounds inflicted on Mother Nature, but the example hopes to arrest the attention of the public on man's varied activities detrimental to nature's capacity to regenerate and sustain, this was the rationale of the project, according to TAFT sales head Angelina Satina.

In coordination with the Dalaguete municipal council, which is noted for its receptiveness to environmental projects, TAFT Property arranged the second year of the mangrove propagule planting activity dubbed "Kalambuan sa Katunggan, Kalambuan sa Katilingban 2006."

Though, the company's efforts last year in same location but on some reportedly higher magnitude of enthusiasm only posted a 20 percent survival rate of the approximately 6,000 mangrove propagules, planted on a 1.5-hectare area, as affected by various factors, TAFT Property once again took up the challenge of sustaining coastal reforestation aside from its mission of building homes. Backed by the full support of its team of professionals in construction management, design and administration TAFT moved on to realize a vision of becoming a vital player in the development of coastal forests the way it had helped develop quality and affordable housing in Cebu, complementing this time environmental sustainability in the countryside aside from the city's economic growth.

Armed by a corporate motto "we build homes" that springs from a deep commitment to build carefully designed homes for people with varied lifestyles in communities where families live in harmony with the environment, TAFT Property employees along with close to four hundred participants coming from the municipal council, barangay council, Department of Environment and Natural Resources/City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Coastal Marine Management, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Department of Agriculture, Sangguniang Kabataan, TAFT affiliates, academe, the media, and peoples organizations and even the children of the Augustinian Kids Organization joined the almost five-kilometer Walk for a Green Cause from the poblacion to the reforestation site in Obong.

It was learned from Obong barangay captain Maria Sol Rondez that after the 6,000 propagules were planted last year, sectoral groups involving 1,000-2,000 people planted another 40,000 propagules to cover 6.58 hectares. An estimated 15,000 propagules were planted last October 28.

Noted for her environmental activism, Rondez even employed young gang members in the project. "Akong gitapok ning mga batan-ong sakop sa Bloods and Crips. Ako sila'ng gihagit nga showdown man kaha inyong gusto, hala ma'y pag kanang inyong energy adto na ma-showdown sa katunggan."

Most noted of the barangay council's effort was the creation of the Dalaguete Coastal Police with honorarium subsidized by the municipal government, as approved by Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante and Vice Mayor Andrade Alcantara.

"Di magsilbi kon wa'y mo-follow-up aning mga propagules everyday kay ang uban motisok mabaw kaayo, malukat sa bawud. Anuron lang, sayang ang effort. Nya kaning mga seaweeds mosangit sa atong mga mangroves nga nanahon na ra ba unta. Kon di na hagpaton everyday posible man mabali ang mangrove kay mabug-atan sa pwersa sa pagkabya sa bawud. Kawang gihapon ang effort," she explained.

Further, Rondez said, "Rewarding na gyud kaayo para namo diri nga makita ang cooperation ug pagsabot sa mga fisherfolks. They were the first to have opposed to the project saying they might lose fishing grounds if the area would be declared marine sanctuary and also the area where they used to moor their fishing boats. Pero sa dihang nakita nila nga taga hawak pa gani ang mga mangroves, daghan na kaayong blue crabs diha na sila nakaamgo nga beneficial gyud diay ang pag-amuma sa atong mga katunggan."

Educational awareness campaigns convinced fisherfolks that bakauans are beneficial as these are highly preferred for fuel and charcoal because of their very high heating values.

Bakauans are also popular for their high strength and durability. They exceed the strength requirements for class C1 of the Philippine timbers, hence are suitable for structural purposes. In coastal villages, bakauans are generally used for posts, for skeletal framework of small houses and poles of "baklad" or fish fence. Also, there is seasonal income from the sale of propagules.

Further, established bakauan plantations provide physical protection of shorelines against erosion caused by the onslaught of waves, tidal currents, typhoons and other natural perturbations. The highly specialized root systems of the species trap sediments and siltation from the uplands favoring land building in coastal areas, enhancing water clarity and growth of corrals.

Bakauan leaves, flowers, fruits and twigs and organic matter input would finally find their way to the nutrient pool of the coastal ecosystem through natural process of decomposition. Bakauan habitat provides favorable breeding, refuge, and feeding ground to a number of important coastal water fishes and shells.

The TAFT-organized mangrove propagule planting also stood by the encouragement of its former sales and marketing manager Marivic Secretaria and the inspiration provided by its president and chief executive officer Jack Gaisano who believes that the future of responsible development begins today.