South Cotabato — In celebration of Environment Month 2025, the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer – Forest and Inland Division (OPENRO-FID) launched a series of on-the-ground initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability, environmental protection, and community collaboration across the province.
The kickoff, held on June 5, was marked by multiple field activities that demonstrate the province’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.
Among the highlights was the delivery of 350 Tuai (Nabol) seedlings from the MENRO-Tboli Nursery to Barangay Maibo, Tantangan. These seedlings will be used in the upcoming Earth Savers Day celebration scheduled for June 10, as part of the province’s reforestation and greening efforts.
In Polomolok, the team conducted monitoring activities at the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) Project site in Purok 8, Barangay Palkan, in partnership with Pastor Buan, a farmer known for his active role in environmental initiatives. The site also hosts an emerging Arabica coffee plantation, envisioned to be developed into a future Civet Cat Sanctuary.
In Tampakan, 107 meters of bamboo dikes have been successfully installed, serving as a nature-based solution to mitigate soil erosion and protect waterways. This initiative highlights the province’s commitment to climate-resilient infrastructure using indigenous materials.
Further south in Sitio Upper Mayada, Barangay Libas, Tantangan, OPENRO-FID validated a 2-hectare Fuelwood Plantation featuring Ipil, Sambag, and Madre de Cacao species. The project is being implemented in collaboration with local community partner Jumer Pregua.
Efforts to enhance the South Cotabato Biodiversity Corridor also gained traction with recent field validations in key ecological areas, including Sitio Namual and Sitio Lake Nongon in Barangay Canajay, Surallah. These areas play a crucial role in linking natural habitats vital to the survival of native flora and fauna.
To cap off the week’s activities, a lake clean-up drive was held at Lot 70 and Purok Rosas in Lake Sebu. The initiative was aimed at preserving freshwater ecosystems and supporting biodiversity conservation in the region’s vital watershed areas.
Through these coordinated efforts, OPENRO-FID reaffirms its vision of a greener, more sustainable South Cotabato. As Environment Month continues, the province encourages all communities to take part in protecting and nurturing the environment — not just in June, but every day.
