Tree Growing partners from Cebu, Davao, and Batangas joined the first Ka-Treebu Assembly organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. One To Tree (RAFI OTT) program on June 30, 2023.

Just in time for the closing of the Philippine Environment Month, Tree Growing partners, including farmers, fisherfolks, landowners, community-based associations, and government partners, gathered to strengthen their commitment towards a sustainable future. The Ka-Treebu Assembly, a first of its kind, featured networking and collaboration sessions, providing an opportunity for partners from across the Philippines to learn from each other, share good practices, and network for shared impact.

The Ka-Treebu Assembly likewise was a celebration of the contributions of all Tree Growing partners of the RAFI OTT program.

“Our tree growing model involves community participation and stakeholder engagement. That is our key strategy for sustaining our initiative. We believe the best way to enhance, recover and protect our forest is by empowering the local communities,” shared Anthony Dignadice, RAFI OTT Program Director.

People’s organizations (PO) are strategic partners in the success of every tree growing initiative. Farmers, fisherfolks and PO leaders are actively involved in the farm/site planning, nursery management and seeding production, site preparation and plantation establishment, and maintenance and monitoring of the site, among other activities. The tree growing initiatives provide augmented income to support the livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolks.

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“I am happy that RAFI came as a partner to the association. They helped us a lot, I am also thankful to GCash who (through the tree growing project) supported our livelihood. Our members can provide for their family’s daily needs. They can now buy the things they need to support their livelihood, like fishing, they can buy food their family needs,” shared Renante Sumotia, President of the Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Tambongon, a people’s organizations from San Remigio, Cebu.

In 2022, the RAFI OTT program engaged and supported 409 farmers through its tree growing initiatives and planted and maintained 2.5M seedlings.