45,000 Trees Planted in 4 Years Across South Cotabato

In the mountains of South Cotabato, an unlikely partnership is turning barren hillsides green again, one seedling at a time.

Over the past four years, Blaan villagers, government environmental workers, and employees from Sagittarius Mines Incorporated have planted 44,970 forest and fruit trees across four highland areas in Central Mindanao. What makes this remarkable isn't just the number, but that nearly all are thriving, carefully documented and tended by local communities who now see themselves as forest guardians.

The trees include native species like tuai, narra, mahogany, and kalantas, along with thousands of coffee plants and guyabano fruit trees that provide both environmental benefits and future income for families. In Barangay Mabuhay alone, 6,914 of the 7,118 planted seedlings are still growing strong, a survival rate that environmental experts say is unusually high for reforestation projects.

Two elderly Blaan tribesmen, Fasing Guwenong and Kintew Lanubat, expressed deep gratitude for the program that's restoring their ancestral lands. The trees now cover ridges in Lambayong, slopes near Mount Matutum, and highlands in Tampakan and General Santos City.

Sagittarius Mines, contracted for a copper and gold project that hasn't yet begun operations, has supplied seedlings from their Tampakan nursery to communities whenever needed. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources coordinates the planting with barangay officials and indigenous leaders.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a local environmental effort is inspiring neighboring communities to follow suit. Datu Zahir Mamalinta, chairman of Barangay Datalblao in nearby Columbio, said his predominantly Blaan community is now working with the same partners to advance their own reforestation projects while protecting existing forests from illegal logging.

Vice mayors from Malungon and Kiblawan report that their towns are adopting the model, with tree seedlings delivered quickly for periodic planting activities in the mountain ranges. The Pagkakaisa Agroforest Development Association now tracks every seedling, creating accountability that ensures trees don't just get planted but actually grow.

Muslim and Christian religious leaders across South Cotabato celebrated the achievement on Sunday, telling reporters they hope the success spreads throughout Central Mindanao. The collaboration proves that protecting the environment doesn't require choosing between conservation and development, but rather finding ways for communities, government, and private enterprise to work together.

The trees planted today will provide shade, prevent erosion, protect watersheds, and offer sustainable harvests for generations of Blaan families who've made reforestation part of their legacy.