Isuzu, WWF tie up for Ilagan watershed

With an estimated one billion vehicles crowding the world’s roads today, one could just imagine the billions of tons of greenhouse gases pumped into the atmosphere every day.

But while significant, the figure still pales in comparison to the amount released through deforestation—over 1.6 billion tons or about 25 to 30 percent of the total amount of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere each year.

Transportation accounts for less than a tenth of the total amount.

“Greenhouse” gases refer mainly to carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor that are found in the atmosphere. The rapid accumulation of these gases in recent decades is believed to have altered the amount of the sun’s heat that is being absorbed and trapped inside the earth’s atmosphere, producing global warming.

“The accelerating destruction of our forests from rampant slashing and burning is now being recognized as one of the main causes of climate change. Carbon emissions from deforestation far outstrip damage caused by automobiles and factories,” announced Lory Tan, vice chairperson and CEO of World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines).

Partnership

Tan, together with Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), recently sealed a partnership deal that would help conserve and manage the Abuan watershed located in Ilagan, Isabela. The watershed is a primary source of fresh drinking water and irrigation of the Cagayan Valley area, considered Luzon’s largest rice granary.

IPC will provide funds for the procurement of native forest trees (like narra) as well as over 2,267 mango trees and 2,180 Japanese Satsuma citrus seedlings. These trees will be planted along the northern side of the Sierra Madre mountain range that crosses the capital town of

Ilagan, Isabela.

While the forest trees that will be planted will help stabilize the mountain soil, the fruit trees will provide livelihood for the farmers.

“We at Isuzu have always subscribed to the principle that every individual and every company should strive to make the world a better place to live in. While we believe that planting trees is already a noble endeavor, we also decided that we should also help support the community that will serve as custodians of the forest. Considering that Isuzu proudly calls itself ‘Your Responsible Partner,’ the public can rest assured that we will uphold that role for as long as we operate here,” said IPC president Ryoji Yamazaki, whose company celebrates its 14th year of operation in the Philippines this year.

Yamazaki said that every anniversary, the company chooses a worthwhile environment-oriented community project as a way of giving back to the community and the environment.

Finding ways

“As we continue to find ways to improve our vehicles, make them both fun to drive and efficient to drive, we will continue to find other means to improve the world we are living in,” said Yamazaki.

This IPC tradition started in 2002 when the company organized an environment-themed show for the children of Biñan, Laguna.

Yamazi added that the WWF is an excellent partner as it is the largest conservation organization in the world.

“What attracted us more is the fact that the WWF spearheads practical solutions to help a country like the Philippines, adapt to climate change, secure food sources to alleviate poverty, conserve local ecosystems to reap natural benefits, empower communities to live low-impact lives, help corporations develop equitable, low-impact supply chains and promote renewable sources of clean energy,” Yamazaki explained.

Farmers’ request

The fruit trees selected for the agroforestry project was based on the requests of the farmers who explained that they are best suited to withstand typhoons that frequent the area.

“Agroforestry is a key component in reforestation. This provides livelihood to local rice and corn farmers, allowing them to have a stake in the project so they wouldn’t exploit the forest. Since they will benefit when these trees bear fruits, they will be more responsible in caring for the trees,” explained Tan who lamented that the Philippines already lost at least 80 percent of its original forest cover.

Yamazaki also said that the reforestation project is also heeding the call of the United Nations after the world body proclaimed 2011 as International Year of the Forests (Forests for People) as well as President Aquino’s Inhabitant Greening Program under Executive Order No. 26, which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees from 2011 to 2016.