Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) President Ryoji Yamazaki (left) during the symbolic turnover of Satsuma seedling to Ilagan Mayor Josemarie Diaz last September 29 as part of IPC 14th Inaugural Anniversary Commemoration.
Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has joined hands with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) in an environment-protection project that aims not only to conserve a watershed in Ilagan, Isabela, but also to train farmers in agro-forestry. The partnership is part of IPC’s celebration of its 14th inaugural anniversary this year. IPC has been traditionally marking this special milestone in company history by organizing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity.
On September 29, Isuzu and WWF held a tree-planting event in the town of Ilagan in the province of Isabela to help establish 40 hectares of agro-forestry land, with a view to empowering local farmers by equipping them with the proper skills in planting seedlings. The event was also attended and the project was highly supported by the local municipal council headed by Ilagan Mayor Josemarie Diaz. Also present in the program were some 120 people consisting of farmers and their families who are the local project partners, namely: the Ifugao tribe from Sitio Pulang Lupa and Sitio Coop; Villa Gracia Agroforestry Developers Cooperative; and, farmers from Barangay Villa Imelda.
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) President Ryoji Yamazaki (middle) during the actual tree-planting in Ilagan, Isabela. Also present were Ilagan Mayor Josemarie Diaz (left) as well as the Ifugao tribe from Sitio Pulang Lupa and Sitio Coop, Villa Gracia Agroforestry Developers Cooperative, and farmers from Barangay Villa Imelda who are the beneficiaries of this CSR project.
“We have been very active in environmental campaigns for many years now, and we intend to sustain this commitment to Mother Nature,” said IPC President Ryoji Yamazaki in a speech. “This is why for our anniversary this year, we are supporting an agro-forestry sustainability project here in Isabela. We are going to carry out education programs for the local farmers so that destruction of forests can be prevented. This initiative will enable the farmers to generate adequate income and eventually improve their livelihood.”
The site of the tree-planting activity—the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park—is the largest remaining swath of old-growth rainforest in the Philippines, according to WWF. Spanning 300,000-plus hectares, the forest-cum-watershed serves as a vital source of water for Cagayan Valley, which is Luzon’s largest rice granary.
The forest is gradually being depleted, resulting in flooding and soil erosion as well as economic and food insecurity. WWF believes that one way to remedy this is to come up with alternative livelihood opportunities, such as agro-forestry, which focuses on the cultivation and conservation of trees.
Thanks to Isuzu’s donation, WWF is now able to establish 40 hectares of agro-forestry land consisting of 100 mango and Satsuma seedlings per hectare. Isuzu’s benevolence will also enable WWF to maintain the land with organic fertilizer and also to train local farmers in tree-planting and seedling production.
“It’s amazing that an automotive company like Isuzu truly cares both for the environment and for the welfare of our local farmers,” Ilagan Mayor Josemarie Diaz said. “Isuzu is doing the right thing here by setting an admirable example. Hopefully, others will take Isuzu’s lead.”
The municipal council created Resolution No. 096 expressing profoundest gratitude of the entire officialdom to IPC for donating agro-forestry seedlings to the Municipality of Ilagan.
