GOVERNOR Migs Dominguez, Mayor Jose Zamorro and Joel Aton of Sarangani Energy Corporation led a turnover of seedlings to the Maasim Municipal Tribal Council for distribution to indigenous people (IP) families living in the upland barangays of Nomoh, Kablacan and Amsipit.
The seedlings will be planted to boost the watershed development program of the municipality.
The turnover rites rook place last Monday (Nov. 21) at the municipal grounds after the flag raising ceremony. The thousands of seedlings are set for planting this year.
“For the remaining months of this year, we will be distributing a total of 17,500 seedlings of rubber, coconut, jackfruit and coffee to 50 families from barangays Nomoh, Amsipit and Kablacan,” said Joel Aton, project assurance manager of Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC).
“This is part of the commitment of Sarangani Energy Corporation to rehabilitate watersheds and to provide livelihood support to Maasim highlanders and tribal communities where each family will receive seedlings good for one hectare which can provide an added income of around P3,000 to P5,000 pesos a month upon reaching their productive stage,” Aton added
The project is supported by the provincial and municipal governments, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police, 73rd Infantry Battalion and the Alcantara Foundation.
“I know this project will change the life of our people. The tribal people will cooperate and support this project because we know that this project will give us some livelihood and at the same time will help us restore all the forests that are gone on the mountain,” Municipal Tribal Council chief Benjamin Donato said.[COCOY SEXCION/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE]
