Brods, I have uploaded the photos of the devastating wildfire which destroyed more than half of the healthily growing seedlings we have planted and nurtured for almost two years.

Diody, xentrio 08-B, 5-04-10

****************************************************

    

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Brods,

Greetings of peace, my dear brothers!

It was at this same time last year that Brod Rene and I were in UP Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo. It was a nice trip and I really felt excited, especially coming back to Iloilo City by jeep. I sure had inhaled a lot of carbon monoxide enough to last me for a month. Don't get me wrong but I enjoyed riding those jeeps, squeezed like sardines. I remember my childhood days in the province hanging at the back of jeeps and tricycles. What a joyful experience!

I have mixed feelings about the grass burning of the plantation. I have seen the pictures which is typical of a burned area. It is really demoralizing but it will never be hopeless. The burning opens our eyes on the importance of maintenance and protection of the plantation. Most of the time the cause is social problem and negligence; hence, people who pasture in the area should be part of the effort of a successful plantation development. It is either the university and the local government will have to impose its police power, or have a dialogue with these people in an amicable way by emphasizing the consequences of their non-cooperation.
 
On the technical side, if you notice, the weeding and mulching around the seedling deter the fire from burning the stem. This prevented the total destruction of the seedling. I see some grown-up seedlings burned but I am certain that they will survive...and come rainy season they will sprout. The small ones have no hope but to replant them. So, I am recommending that the seedlings to be planted should be at least four feet high. Indigenous species like Narra, Acacia and other legumes can withstand burning at this height. Cleaning and cultivating at least a meter around the seedling before the dry season will prevent the fire to char the stem. Mulching can be dug around the stem and cover it with about an inch of mixed soil and pulverized dung. Continuous watering is very important at the outset of the dry season. Tree guards are also necessary to protect the seedlings from animal destruction.

I am always confident that the UPV CENFOR will be successful as long as the brods and sisters are around to maintain and protect the seedlings planted. It will just take years of patience and commitment to do it.
Keep up the good work.
 
Brod Johnny Regadio '66UPCF, 5-04-10

****************************************************
 

All,
 
This reminds me of the failed reforestation and afforestation effort of the Philippine Government. Planting is easy but there were no maintenance and most usually the laborers intentionally burned the area so they don't have to hike far to do replanting. How long have we had the reforestation project in Minglanilla, Cebu and Caniaw, Bantay Ilocos Sur? How much money has been spent. And yet there is not much that can be shown about these areas. My proposal is to spend money and effort for maintenance (mulching, periodic clearing around the seedlings during summer months, try to dig a well  if possible for watering during excessive heat, etc.) Select fire resistant species like teak, madre de cacao etc.  There is nothing wrong with planting species like anabiong but wouldn't it be more viable if we planted species of economic value? For example, katurai, kalingag, malungai, himbabao (alukon), alagaw, albutra (for birth control) and as a help for forest protection, we may have to plant sabawil atap, lipang kalabaw etc. It may also be necessary to raise money to hire a part time guard to maintain the area. I am willing to contribute initially $100.00 on this endeavor.
 
I was looking at the pictures and it seems only our plantation was razed. Please reassess the area and if you feel we will have a problem establishing a forest in that area, then we might as well cut our losses and look for a more suitable area. This is not quitting but improving the playing ground. How is the cooperativeness of the local government officials?
 
Ernem Butburatem '58UPCF, 5-04-10

****************************************************