Energy Development Corp., the biggest producer of geothermal energy, teamed up with non-government organization Philippine Permaculture Association to protect and propagate 21 rare and threatened native trees species in Nueva Ecija.
Around 152 seedlings from these species were planted in the premises of Cabiokid Foundation Inc., a 13-hectare permaculture development site and integrated farm that serves as PPA’s demo farm as part of EDC’s BINHI program.
BINHI is the only corporate-led program that identifies and propagates 96 rare and threatened native trees species.
Through the program, EDC has reforested over 9,500 hectares with these indigenous species. BINHI now has over 150 partners nationwide that help propagate these tree species.
Some of the species planted include Yakal-saplungan, Yakal-malibato, Malabayabas, Betis, Apunan, Pianga, Kamagong, Kamagong ponce, Ipil, Tindalo, and Supa. These species have dwindled in number in the wild, and are no longer familiar to the younger generations.
The PPA promotes knowledge on permaculture, the practice of integrating people and the environment to create diverse, stable and resilient agricultural systems for sustainable agriculture.
EDC recently forged a partnership with Knowles Electronics Corp. and the University of San Carlos in the recently-inaugurated BINHI arboretum in Talamban in Cebu City.
Premium Philippine native tree species such as Narra, Mangkono and Molave will be grown and propagated inside arboretum inside the USC campus as part of EDC’s Binhi program.
Philippine timber tree species are preserved by planting their seedlings in school grounds, public parks, and other areas that provide a safe haven for the long-term survival of these future mother trees.
EDC, USC and Knowles committed to ensure the sustainability of the initiative in line with their dedication to environmental conservation.