The Brews Brothers: A partnership for Philippine Arabica coffee
MANILA, Philippines - In the Philippines, the Arabica coffee industry is expected to be given a sudden boost this year with the formation of the new partnership called ”Brews Brothers,” which consolidates the government’s environmental efforts, environmental groups, recycling companies, Bulacan farmers and tribal associations.
The Brews Brothers Partnership is a sub-project of the 100-hectare Bulacan Reforestation program with the active support and cooperation of the Azzions Recycling Solutions Inc., MacNut (Philippines) Inc., and the War Against Global Warming Organization (WAG).
Macnut Philippines: International Accreditation
MacNut (Phils), Inc. is a Filipino-owned company that promotes Arabica coffee and macadamia nut planting and production in the country. The company is an offshoot of more than four years of research on the strains of coffee Arabica and macadamia nuts grown in tropical Hawaii, USA, and elsewhere, which are agronomically adaptable to Philippine conditions without loss of their economic, market and competitive advantages.
In its four-year foray into the industry, MacNut Philippines has already been awarded national accreditation by the Philippine government’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and international recognition, particularly from the US. One of MacNut’s projects was strongly supported by Hawaii Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who officially opened the first Philippines Commercial Macadamia Orchard in Ilocos Norte.
Azzions Recycling: Environmental Advocate
Azzions Recycling Solutions, Inc. is a manufacturing company dedicated to converting hazardous waste materials into commercially viable products, utilizing environmentally friendly recycling and manufacturing methods.
Azzions has achieved environmental compliance and is accredited under the Transport, Storage, Recycling/Treatment and Disposal of Hazardous Wastes.
It has pledged support for the Information and Environmental Education Campaigns of WAG and DENR-EMB.
War against global warming
The War Against Global Warming organization is an official partner of the DENR Environmental Management Bureau regarding environmental education activities. In 2008, it produced the 30-second animated environmental infomercial “Panaghoy ng Kalikasan,” aired over TV channels GMA-7, QTV-11, RPN 9 and IBC 13 for several months in 2008 and 2009.
Recently, WAG has participated in massive tree-planting and reforestation activities such as the 200 Hectares Reforestation and Fruit Trees Plantation Livelihood Project in Sitio Karahume, Brgy. San Isidro Norzagaray, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. This program is in support of President Aquino’s National Greening Program (NGP).
The partnership also involves the farmers’ organizations: Levy C. Roto (Mt. Balagbag People Planters Organization); Marcelino San Jose (Ancestral Domain Dumagat Tribal Association); Nelson Acosta, (Bulacan Lowland And Upland Peoples Organization); Sergio Cruz (Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Mga Dumagat sa Bulacan); and Alejandro Mendoza (Mt. Balagbag Mountain Ranger Association).
The Brews Brothers project is working to bring the forests back to life by replanting the totally denuded mountain sides, protecting the existing rainforests, rehabilitating the watersheds, reviving the rivers, and renewing the cycle of life that feeds the healthy coexistence among people and Mother Nature.
