"Turning Garbage Into Trees"
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This proposal suggests mainstreaming the National Greening Program (NGP) into the Provincial Greening Program (PGP) in Southern Leyte, Philippines. It proposes establishing 150 community school tree nurseries that would produce 3 million coffee and cacao seedlings per year. This would generate an estimated PHP 1.05 million in annual income for farmers after 3-5 years and PHP 525 million annually thereafter. It would provide livelihoods for communities involved in composting, bamboo and nipa production for the nurseries. The goal is to empower schools through community-shared agriculture and environmental education while alleviating poverty and building climate resilience.
"Turning Garbage Into Trees"
- 1. June 14, 2016 Hon. Roger G. Mercado Congressman-Elect, Lone District of Southern Leyte Office of the District Representative Abgao, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines Subject: * Mainstreaming “NGP” into “PGP” * Dear Honorable Mercado: The National Greening Program (NGP) was among the many beautiful policies crafted by Filipinos, but has never achieved its goals. We will continue its implementation and fulfill those beautiful minds that crafted the thoughts. Adding a little innovation, this is our call, viz: How could 30 scavenger families and one dumpsite create 15,000 jobs? A livelihood to 150 School communities? Will start to generate 105 million pesos potential income to smallholder farmers in 3-5 years? And, 525 million pesos projected income on the 5th -7th year and every succeeding years thereafter? Attached, is a value proposition concept when adopted aspires many opportunities for inclusive growth, accelerate environmental education and promote business for sustainable development. Joint Memorandum Circular 2015-01 of DBM and Climate Change Commission reiterates and directs LGU communities to incorporate, include and give priority to local climate action programs in their annual budget preparation. This directive is crucial to gather collaboration and strengthen marketing strategies to foster sustainable finance. Exhausted in finding communities that would spouse concept into their annual investment plan as these communities will serves as marketing outlets. To begin co-creation of a social enterprise, maybe we could craft a local executive order, memorandum or directives for the Provincial Greening Program (PGP). May we respectfully submit subject concept proposal above for your consideration. Thank you. Sincerely yours, NELSON T. ENOJO Community Facilitator Fwrd: Alliance Community
- 2. “Turning Garbage into Trees” RGM-ERS Alliance pre-proposal concept suggestions 1) Concept Justification & Rationale: The Philippines is one of the largest producer and exporter of coconut and abaca products in the world. Over 23 million people are dependent on this industry for livelihood. Comprised of smallholder farmers, they are among the least resilient to economic stresses and environmental shocks. Eastern Visayas where Southern Leyte belongs, is among the country’s top producing provinces in the region, including the whole of Leyte, Biliran and Samar Islands, (Inquirer.net Nov. 23, 2012.) Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) has affected about 16 million people, four million people have been displaced and the coconut sector severely suffered the most. 33 million coconut trees were damaged or destroyed across 295,191 hectares of land and more than one million farming households directly affected (Oxfam Joint Agency Briefing Note, Feb., 12, 2014). Rural farming communities are the most susceptible to natural disasters. In Southern Leyte, the constant battle of pest infestation and disease outbreaks from Brontispa & Bunchy Tops continue to destroy investments and obstruct development making the Province of Southern Leyte and the whole Eastern Visayas are one of the most vulnerable regions in the country and in Southeast Asia. Human induced calamities exacerbated the problem. In fragile ecosystem of key biodiversity areas in the province. In Mt. Nacolod, a 14,000 hectare Forest Watershed Reservation covering 4 municipalities are exposed to manmade stresses. Marine Protected Areas along Sogod bay and other coastal communities faces the same risks. PAGASA climate projections using PRECIS model for the years 2020 and 2050 indicated that the country expect to increase in annual mean temperatures by .09 to 1.1 degrees centigrade in 2020. 1.8 to 2.2 degrees centigrade in 2050. Extreme temperatures exceeding 35 degrees centigrade will continue to become frequent. Increases in rainfall are likely in Luzon (0.9%-63%) and Visayas (2%-22%) during monsoon seasons. Extreme weather events such as typhoons are expected to increase, (www.academia.edu). This is the new normal that requires resilient driven programs to strengthen our adaptive capacity to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences, (ClimateAdapt.Asia; IPCC; ISDR). According to INDC, the Philippines under the Paris Agreement “intends to undertake GHG (CO2e) emissions reduction of about 70% of its BAU (Business As Usual) scenario of 2000-2030.” These carbon emission reductions will be taken from the energy, transport, waste, forestry, and the industry sectors – the country’s major sources of carbon emissions after the energy sector (Pia Ranada, Rappler.Com Oct. 2, 2015). Notably, the agriculture sector was not included even if it is the second biggest source of emissions (ibid.) What possible measures our province of Southern Leyte could undertake for the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) carbon emissions reduction?
- 3. As an agricultural province, we intend to continue massive reforestation programs, landscape restoration activities and biodiversity protection initiatives in reducing carbon emission through carbon sink enhancing natural sequestration in tree stocks. “Turning Garbage into Trees” finds solution deploying at scale and speed for massive seedling production necessary to accomplish urgent agricultural rehabilitation. This is one path we could take to answer immediate counter measures to the destructive effects of climate change and be able to contribute INDC targets. By carbon offsetting, we will be helping big cities and urban centers continue economic growth. Turning challenges into opportunities in coping with future disruptions is a global challenge. Today, our country produces 25,000 metric tons or 25 million kilos of coffee and ranks 110th in the world in terms of output, but we consume almost 100,000 metric tons a year, (The Philippine Star, Jan. 13, 2014). How can the Philippines be a top coffee exporter again? Grameen Foundation Global Resilience Partnership Challenge implements intercropping cash crop products like coffee and cacao in typhoon Yolanda affected communities. Oxfam suggest in a Joint Agency Briefing Note in February 12, 2014 that recovery presents an opportunity for the government to break the cycle of poverty. In response to apply best knowledge and practices, Restore Green Movement Alliance for Green Schools & Communities (RGM Alliance), Edmund Rice Ministries (ERS) of Maasin and the Diocese of Maasin Social Action Center submits this concept note suggestion pre-proposal “Turning Garbage into Trees” to the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte for evaluation. We hope this might be on interest for further study and become integral solutions in the implementation of Southern Leyte Provincial Climate Change Action Plans. 2. Concept Goals and Objectives: Valuing ecosystem services for poverty alleviation, “Turning Garbage into Trees” envisioned a unified action to amplify the Provincial Greening Program (PGP) local implementation a Global Resilience Partnership Challenge in Southern Leyte. A human- centered design proposition for inclusive growth work to support Memorandum Circular 2008- 69 calling for the mainstreaming of CCA and DRR in local policies, plans, budgets and investment programs. To be able to deliver comprehensive, purpose driven community action through effective local and national partnership, we work to acknowledge sincere collaboration of local implementers and increase capacities of key partners. The concept suggests focus on Empowering Southern Leyte Schools through Community Shared Agriculture. A practical school for agriculture, we envisioned a community driven environmental education initiatives. This project is successful once inclusive new business model in the communities is achieved, inclusive growth opportunities felt and sustained, socio-economic enterprising initiative seen and, the existence of stakeholders-entrepreneurs and shareholders-investors practiced in their own climate-smart industries and eco-centered businesses, livelihood and services.
- 4. 3. Key Components: 1) The Problem a) Man Made Problem - Inequality Lack of skills, assets and education trap scavenger communities in extreme poverty. Staying with them in 2006 to 2009 showed average annual collection of Php 179,000.00 pesos worth of recyclable collected in our city dump. 18 families or 33 individuals comprise the community. If divided equally among themselves, they would only make less than 15.00 pesos each as daily income. In 2009, meager quantity of recyclable reached the city dumpsite due to present policy allowing city employed garbage collectors to sort out recyclable before being dumped in the city landfill. Worst, city landfill was sold to private individual for commercial industry. There are 3rd generation scavengers present in the community and this trend will continue to exist if we do nothing. Poverty is the greatest challenge to achieve development. But what if the poorest among the poorest sector in society are the silent catalyst for change? What if this same sector the United Nations SDG aim to alleviate are the very change makers for development? According to Muhammad Yanus of Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Laureate, “Poverty is unnecessary. People are able to get themselves out of poverty. All they need is Opportunity. They are not expecting charity or instructions. Although charity is good, but it is not enough. If you turn it into business proposal, then it is very powerful as it can work by itself.” Maasin city and the whole province of Southern Leyte has plenty of resources like them. Untapped human resource. From urban slums to rural farming communities, from mountain peaks to river valleys down to the ocean coastal communities, are people striving to meet even the basics. The perennial waste problem is one potential solution that could help bridge the gap. It could connect everyone. From food security to health and nutrition, to landscape restoration and reforestation, down to climate change resiliency and disaster risk reduction. They are the untapped resources that could accelerate environmental institutionalism. They are the key in advancing our sustainability for the future. We will start by giving them our time, skills and resources. We will make them our focus.
- 5. b) Human Induced Problem - Natural Calamities Headline news in early 2000, Southern Leyte and the rest of Eastern Visayas already felt the effects of climate change.
- 6. c) The Problem on Unconditional Implementation 1.5 billion Trees covering 1.5 million hectares. From 2011 to 2016 in a span of 6 years! Executive Order No 26 declares, as government priority, The Philippine National Greening Program (NGP). But what if all these trees are raised and produced in our schools? What if we include other plant species geographically suitable, practical and priority need for a particular location? What if we will make the Department of Education (DepEd) lead agency in the implementation? Environmental education then will not be the job for teachers alone. It will be a concerted effort to all convening partners, a unified responsibility for everyone.
- 7. 2) Solutions – Visioning the campaign Mainstreaming NGP into PGP We would like to emphasize the raising of Quality Seedlings. Implementing Quality or “Q” Seedling Standard promote livelihood opportunities to scavenger communities in dumpsite and landfill areas as it would require compost soil as potting medium a component requisite to meet quality seedling standard. It would only take 30,000 bags of compost soil to raise 3 million seedling pots, a volume most landfill can easily produce. At 50.00 pesos per bag this means added income. When sold at fair market price of 250.00 pesos, this gives hope, in alleviating socio-economic living
- 8. standard to individual family households. Saving a portion as force contribution is road closer to becoming stakeholder/entrepreneur or stakeholder/investor. The establishment of 150 school tree-plant nurseries would also help generate income and livelihood opportunities to bamboo producing communities. Taking into consideration 100 pieces of bamboo pole per school or 15,000 pieces of bamboo materials required for construction for the 150 target communities. Nipa as indigenous roofing material will also be encouraged. Allocating 1,000 pieces for every nursery site would also help create market demand for nipa product increasing income and livelihood opportunities for nipa producing communities. Implementing this concept therefore, will make the poorest among the poorest sector of society active actors for change. Not only they will find income but they themselves has the ability to become stewards for the environment. More importantly, environmental education will not be the job for teachers alone but a unified responsibility for the whole community. 3) The Product, Services and Opportunities The program aim to raise 3 million coffee & cacao quality seedlings every year for the next 5 years thru the establishment of 150 community school tree-plant nurseries as practical delivery mode strengthening environmental institutionalism into the school system. Aside from the estimated 15,000 individuals directly involved in seedling production, a conservative projected estimate of 1,050,000 pesos annual income will be shared among farmer beneficiaries 3-5 years after implementation. This is the time when trees mature and begin to bear fruits. Finally, a projected annual income of 525 million pesos soon after as all trees bear fruits.
- 9. 4) Other Potential Markets 5) Competition
- 10. 6) Team Composition As we move to accomplish the UN-SDG Vision 2050, we believe that our Province will achieve large scale economic progress towards social and environmental challenges of our time. Through collective citizen engagement driven approach. Southern Leyte Action 2020 – Philippines will attempt to promote and enhance new forms of cross-sector partnership in the implementation for inclusive growth and sustainable development in the Province. Environmental education will be key to advancing sustainability in the future. This will be our cornerstone. This will be our engine of collaboration among governments, businesses, and religious sector, civic and non-profit organizations common engagement platform. This will be our space. Our common ground for us to share our skills, talents, time and resources. To be of service to people and the natural ecosystem we belong. We hope to further catalyze connections to other organizations, companies, and individuals to move greater partnerships for unified collaborations. 7) Milestones: a. “Practical School for Agriculture” – Tomas Oppus Pilot School Experiment Prototyping “Turning Garbage into Trees” Brigada Eskwela, a week long Community Shared Partnership Clean Up Drive is a yearly activity in preparation for the school year opening usually during the 1st week of June. Zero" Waste Attempt - Sorting garbage to minimize the volume to reach the landfill, the school proves to generate greater amount of biodegradable. Can this rich organic material resource become "seed" capital to empower school children entrepreneurial skills? Thank you!
- 11. A. Seedlings 1) Plastic Bag (4x6) 1,000,000 0.40 400,000.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 1 Business owner 2) Compost 7,500 50.00 375,000.00 Dumpsite Communities/Members 187,500.00 30 Head of family 3) River Sand 2,500 25.00 62,500.00 River Communities/Members 31,250.00 30 Head of family 4) Labor Incentive in: 10,000 10.00 100,000.00 River Communities/Members 50,000.00 30 Head of family a) Unloading of compost b) Mixing compost with riversand c) Loading & Delivery to school nurseries sites 5) Labor in potting of seedling bags 1,000,000 0.50 500,000.00 250,000.00 1,500 6) Labor in Piling of seedling pots to seedling beds 1,000,000 0.30 300,000.00 150,000.00 1,500 7) Labor incentive in sowing, maintenance & care 1,000,000 3.00 3,000,000.00 1,500,000.00 1,500 (120 days/4 months @ 500.00/day food, snacks and meal allowance for present members) 8) Procurement of seeds 1,000,000 0.10 100,000.00 Certified Supplier/Member/Partner 50,000.00 0 Orgnization/Group Estimated Cost 4,837,500.00 2,218,750.00 4,591 B. Community School Nursery Establishment (50 schools @ 20,000 capacity) 1) 50 Multi-purpse shed structures a) Bamboo materials 5,000 100.00 500,000.00 Bamboo producing communities/Members 250,000.00 90 Head of family b) Nipa roofing materials 50,000 15.00 750,000.00 Nipa producing communities/Members 375,000.00 120 Head of family 2) Germination shed - plastic roof cost only 50 700.00 35,000.00 Local business supplier/partner agencies 0.00 0 Owner 3) Seedling beds/plots (10 sets/school) 500 45.00 22,500.00 11,250.00 100 Head of family 4) Seedling trays (60 seedling-capacity) 17,000 30.00 510,000.00 255,000.00 90 Head of family 5) Seedling stand ( 15 tray-capacity) 1,333 100.00 133,300.00 66,650.00 25 Head of family Estimated Cost 1,950,800.00 975,400.00 425 C. Basic Nursery Tools & Equipment 1) Potting table (1/2 marine plywood & materials) 50 750.00 37,500.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner a) Labor cost 50 200.00 10,000.00 School PTCA, Faculty, Students, Community Members & Barangay Council & Youth5,000.00 50 Head of family 2) Potting stool (bamboo, nails & rattan tie wire) 100 100.00 10,000.00 School PTCA, Faculty, Students, Community Members & Barangay Council & Youth5,000.00 50 Head of family 3) Spade 50 315.00 15,750.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 4) Wheelborrow (reinforced steel bars) 50 2,600.00 130,000.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 5) Trawels (3 sets per school) 150 155.00 23,250.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 6) Sprinklers (3 sets per school) 3 115.00 345.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 7) Pail/Water containers (3 sets per school) 3 100.00 300.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 8) Sprayers (1 for every school) 50 115.00 5,750.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 9) Drums - water & rain storage (2 per school) 100 1,200.00 120,000.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 10) Hand saw (1 set per school) 50 645.00 32,250.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 11) hammer (1 set per school) 50 478.00 23,900.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 12) Garden hose set 100 meters @ 5/8 50 2,800.00 140,000.00 Various Hardware store 0.00 0 Business owner 13) Miscellaneous 50 3,000.00 150,000.00 To Be Determined 0.00 0 To Be Determined Estimated Cost 699,045.00 10,000.00 100 Total Estimated Direct Cost 7,487,345.00 Total Capital Buildup of members 3,204,150.00 5,116 Total Beneficiaries Impact Assessment: 1. Fifty (50) new communities/school partner groups with buildup capital of 3,204,150.00 Motivating environmental institutionalism into our school system. Making both the teachers & community members environmental extension service providers. We also empower the women sector as mostly members of PTCA are wifes and housewifes. 2. 30 head of family members in dumpsite communities has now a starting capital of 187,500.00 3. 30 head of family members of river communities will have a working capital of 81,250.00. They can now venture in other sustainable ecosystem livelihood in hollowblocks making, bamboo seedling propagation, vegetable gardening, etc., and become stewards of the river landscape. 4. 90 head of family members in bamboo producing community now has a working capital of 250,000.00. 5. 120 Nipa producing community members has now 375,000.00 to venture more to improve social and economic resources. 6. Rural communities and the urban poor in landfill & dumpsites perfect synchronicity for a common goal exchanging resources and collaboration both natural & human labor, promoting rural livelihood. 7. 5,116 estimated individuals that would be directly involved. How could we make their involvement sustainable? 8. What if this "force savings" will be use as capital investment for the group to venture into coffee/cacao buying station or processing plant. This will be the beginning of stakeholder-entgrepreneur or stakeholder investor. Total Capital Buildup of = 3,204,150.00 (Starting a Social Enterprise?) Targeted Technical/Financial Support: R e c a p : N o t e : The above projections and informations are gathered by 1. DepEd Seedlings 4,837,500.00 Restore Green Movement Alliance for Green Schools & 2. DA, MAO Nursery Establishment 1,950,800.00 Communities (RGM Alliance) only (2013). Although copies of the 3. DILG Nursery Tools/Equipment 699,045.00 concept above was and has already been shared to various 4. TESDA Estimated Total Cost 7,487,345.00 Starting Up or 1st year Implementation Local Government Offices & Agencies to inspire collaboration, 5. DOST still we lack the shared understanding to come up with a 6. DOLE 2nd Year/Cropping Estimated Expenses: common goal and catalyze potential partners. 7. DPWH 7,487,345.00 8. DSWD -1,950,800.00 9. DENR -699,045.00 10. LGU Estimated Total Cost 4,837,500.00 2nd year/cropping or succeeding Imprementation 30 target head of family members each school 1 Million Coffee & Cacao Quality Seedlings Estimated Production Cost 1st year Implementation in 50 Community School Nursery Sites No. of pieces/bags Unit Cost T o t a l Beneficiary Community Force savings/Capital buildup/Members Investment (50%) Number of Beneficiaries Individuals Remarks School PTCA, Faculty, Students, Community Members, Barangay Council Beneficiary Community Force savings/Capital buildup/Members Investment (50%) Number of Beneficiaries Individuals Remarks School PTCA, Faculty, Students, Community Members & Barangay Council & Youth Unit Cost No. of pieces/bags No. of pieces/bags Unit Cost T o t a l Force savings/Capital buildup/Members Investment (50%) Number of Beneficiaries Individuals RemarksBeneficiary CommunityT o t a l