ALFONSO LISTA, IFUGAO – – Leading environment advocate Victor Sampayan has persistently pushed for the conduct of tree-planting projects in Alfonso Lista and recognizing it as a relevant, timely and legitimate way of re-greening the countryside, especially in light of the ill-effects of climate change and numerous weather disturbances.
In support of the national government’s program to reverse the alarming situations in denuded forests and bald mountains, Sampayan together with San Jose Barangay Council officials and key personnel, Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials as well as partners in civil society groups held recently a tree-planting activity in this village and collectively reiterated the push to massively plant trees.
“With the Sangguniang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan of San Juan, together with several of our partners in the private sector, we affirm the continued relevance of this public-private sector partnership in safeguarding our environment,” Sampayan said.
“The message that underlay all that we did in the barangay was that tree-planting is an essential tool in ensuring our protection from landslides, mudslides and floods,” he added.
The idea, he asserted, was to tell villagers that planting trees in the community is one of the things that they will continue to do in the future for the sake of saving the environment.
About 300 seedlings were planted. Most of them native trees.
Sampayan, also head of the Tree Savers Club, is known for bringing new innovations that create a huge impact on people’s lives. In other words, he focuses on how way things really work to change their lives for the better and meet their needs. As such, he is for providing livelihood opportunities among folks in watershed areas so as not to encourage them in engaging in tree-cutting actions.
Kaingin is illegal. Yet, villagers are cutting trees in a frightening manner. A lot of people don’t realize that. The sale of wood is lucrative, for them money involved is huge. Environmental degradation hardly matter to uneducated or lowly-educated, poor folks who are into slash-and-burn farming. There are few environmental enforcement officers in Alfonso Lista and throughout the province.
All is good, all is well understandably for illegal loggers, a few wood carvers and a sizeable number of folks who use wood to build houses or cooking purposes instead of electric stove or LPG.
In the past, vast tracts of rain forests are in pristine conditions. Now, there is not a lot of trees to see around. Just look at hilly and upland portions of Alfonso Lista. That’s the future many are truly worried about.
This striking realization drove Sampayan to rethink and change the way his town mates are behaving. He merely transformed the perspectives and mindsets of people affected by harsh economic times. He has empowered them and their families to accept and embrace a number of solutions and interventions for long lasting relief. Bright and articulate as he is, Vic Bic as he is fondly called by friends,has never lowered his guard on these problems.
His leadership and strategic direction have enabled the successful completion of previous tree-planting projects in the villages of Sto. Domingo and Namnama, both in Alfonso Lista. “Up next is a similar activity in Barangay Kiling,” he said in an exclusive interview. That seemed a reasonable plan for protecting the town’s environment.
Through Sampayan’s active involvement and guidance, Alfonso Lista’s youngsters are being nurtured , encouraged and inspired to take the role of “stewards of the environment.”
At one time, an SK official of Busilac lauded Sampayan for his “transformative leadership” in selfless service to the people of Alfonso Lista.”
The scenic villages of San Jose, Sto. Domingo, Namnama and Busilac- and even Laya, Bangar, Namilangan, Pinto and San Quintin, are nestled perfectly in this promising farming town. All in the symbolic heart of rural Philippines: Alfonso Lista has 20 barangays
Young boys, 12 or 13, carry shovels in the serene village of Dolowog, this scribe was informed. Says one: “I have a shovel too. What am I to do? Plant an avocado tree? “
Alfonso Lista, which is endowed with rich natural resources, is widely seen to boost economic activities in Ifugao. In turn, this will accelerate the overall goal of more inclusive economic development in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
From a barangay to another, Sampayan and others in his group are up against heavy odds. It’s virtually a race against the clock. Alfonso Lista’s vulnerability to climate change puts it at risk of losing substantial percent of its economic output. It is impossible to be unaware of the consequences of wantonly cutting trees; and if not addressed, which could potentially bring unimaginable results.
Paradoxically, folks make things worse by stupidly saying Kaingin is alright. To cut trees here and there. A total lie. Until then the last tree awaits folks, out by its lonesome!
For tree-planting advocates, three variables matter. For one, fertile soil is vital. Organic compost is equally important. Add water to the list. Small water ways running to the mammoth Magat Dam, through which it is so ponderously and so deeply flows are also in a not-so good condition. Water sources are perhaps, drying too. Victor Sampayan was right. Perhaps, that is why he is working double time. Sampayan, who is also a firm advocate of farming modernization and youth empowerment, grapples with realities on the ground. Planting trees- whether fruit bearing ones or for shades, is a gamble, of course. How long do concerned folks like him have to plant more trees? Well, just giving an educated guess is part of a mental calisthenics. As always, tree planting is tiring, but rewarding.
As it is, Sampayan’s foresight is aided profoundly by the support and assistance extended by San Jose Punong Barangay Joselito Agus, concurrent ABC President. Like Victor Sampayan, Councilor Agus is undeniably a hardworking individual who embodies greatness of spirit. **By Anthony A. Araos
