Who cut the trees? (1)

Who cut the trees? Many decade ago, Our country is thick with forest. What happen to the trees? Due to corruption, most of the tree is log by lumber companies, government officials and politicians. To help funds political ambition and to make tons of money. From the past, many of the so-called butchers of the forest, already passed-away. Some of them still living and enjoying the bounty of the past. Most of the mountain and upland communities is tree-less. The grasses have already overtaken most of the hills and mountains. What can we do? Many people is already hopeless. Planting trees is already late in our generation. But, We believe their will be no latecomer. As long, we will start planting trees now. For the next generation to benefits. More than 25 years ago, I attended an environmental forum led by local politician in our town. Back then, the local politician is an environmental advocate. I'm not sure if genuine or fake advocacy. He encourage us youth to plants trees. He challenge us to produce tree seedlings. He will buy it all. Few days after the environmental forum. As an enterprising youth, me and my friends. Started to gathered tree seeds and set-up a makeshift tree seedling nursery. After few month, we go to the local politician office to sell the tree seedlings we produce. But, the local politician flip-flop and tell us to sell the tree seedlings to the public market. It's a disheartening situation. After few weeks of waiting. My cousin have a tree planting project in the school. She help me sell the tree seedlings to her classmates. This save the days we work for the tree seedling nursery. How can we replant the mountains and hills in our country? Everyone guess is the same as mine. It's the gov't job to reforest the country. But, It will not happen. Why? Our gov't people have no concrete plan to implement it. They just after the funds they can get. One-way to reforest the country is through people initiative. Gov't must entrust the reforestation to upland communities. By employing them as tree planter and custodian. This will ensure the success of the reforestation. If, upland community will have a job. No one will attempt to cut the trees. By creating sustainable communities, the better future will be regain for all. Example of reforestation expenses, the gov't can spend. By paying Php1 peso per tree a month to tree custodian. In a year expenses is Php12 pesos per tree. In a decade expenses is Php120 pesos per tree. In 2 decade expenses is Php240 pesos per tree. If 1 tree custodian will take care of 10,000 tree. He/she earn Php10,000 per month. If, we have 1 billion tree planted. Gov't spend 12 billion peso a year. No more flooding. Balance ecosystem. We save lives and properties worth of billion in man-made calamities. That can be mitigated. We generate more jobs and save lives. Be awake and be aware. For a better society. Posted on Dupay Seeds fb page 04/18/2016