Nestlé CdO factory spearheads reforestation

The Nestlé Cagayan de Oro factory is spearheading three-year reforestation project covering 10 hectares of land at Sitio Manila in Bgy. Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, where the factory is located. The project aims to preserve the Tablon watershed and protect marine life in the Umalag River, one of the most preserved rivers in Mindanao. The river provides livelihood opportunities for residents living along its banks.

Other initiatives of Nestlé CDO are the construction and the maintenance of the riffraff along the critical areas of the river bank, planting bamboo trees to prevent erosion, a monthly clean-up of the river, and periodic awareness campaigns to draw attention to the importance of the river. One such campaign was a recent mosaic painting activity for barangay youth.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was forged between Nestlé, the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), KIMBP (Kolambog, Inapig, Manila, Birhen, Piglayugan) Integrated Social Forestry Farmer’s Association (land beneficiaries), and the Barangay Tablon Council for the ratification of the multi-partite reforestation project.

Under the MOA, the Nestlé CDO factory will provide carabao mango seedlings and fertilizers, KIMBP Integrated Social Forestry Farmer’s Association will supply labor and manage the project, CLENRO will provide technical assistance to the farmers and conduct a periodic evaluation, while the Barangay Tablon council will assist CLENRO with implementation and monitoring.

According to Nestlé CDO factory head Rudy Trillanes, this project is only one expression of Nestle’s long-term, continuing commitment to environmental protection and preservation. He said that the project is meant to be a contribution to future generations of Filipinos, bringing to life Nestlé Phils.’ corporate slogan, Tulong-tulong sa Tagumpay.