Nelson Enojo

As nobel minds focuses on the science of developing new technologies, our dependence on natural resources provided by this earth would soon become a thing of the past. Generations of over exploitation resulted a global challenge of climate change. Humanity faces this urgent call and the way in addressing this challenge is an opportunity for the 3rd world countries, a tropical country like the Philippines.

Reforestation, restoration and bio-diversity protection is one initiative we have been working. We receive much rainfall as most tropical countries do. What we plant has more chances to grow and our government has strong law for environmental protection.

The abundance of untapped human capital and the high rate of unemployment in our locality is a win-win solution to combat climate change thru reforestation/afforestation while solving our perenial problem of poverty.

I used to work with the Philippine National Bank for 13 years and availed of the early retirement program in 2002. Passionate about growing trees eversince I was a kid, I have devoted my time organizing communities.

Local government leaders plays a vital role for development and bridging the gap with our grassroots communities needs dedication and perseverance. Our job is connecting the unconnected. In 2004 we manage to organize a group of women for seedling production. A community nursery operation livelihood. They are now part of development supplying tree seedlings.

Continue to do outreach activities up to the present with the focus on our city dumpsite development.

Building a unified Southern Leyte for trees requires a concerted efforts from all sectors of our society. The dumpsite dwellers can bridge this gap.

How can an ordinary fishing village be part of our reforestation campaign? How can we encourage the by-standers to value time? What alternative livelihood can we extend to the women, the mothers, the unemployed left in homes? How can we tap the stagnant energy of inmates in our prison facilities? How can we increase the level of awareness and promote environmental education thru learning by doing in our schools?

The production of compost in our city dumpsite and disseminating the product as composite raw material for tree seedlings to the above sectors can help augment our massive reforestation campaign.

We started forming networks with local organizations and wish to get connected with the rest of the world.