Restoration with native species is helping to bring back ecosystems in the Philippines

Romeo started his first restoration project in 2012. As the trees in his small timber plantation grew and began showing ecological benefits, Romeo grew attached to the site and understood the value of restoration. After demonstrating the success of his approach, he received support from the local municipal government to expand his restoration site. This led to Romeo’s active advocacy for forest restoration on Pilar Island.

In recognition of his effort, the municipal government supported him to participate in the Rainforestation Training conducted by ELTI, the Rain Forest Restoration Initiative (RFRI) Network and the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management at Visayas State University in August 2017. Rainforestation is a technique that promotes the use of native species to restore forest landscapes in the Philippines.

According to Romeo, the training strengthened his ability to advocate for native species and helped him attain his vision for Pilar, which is to bring back the healthy, rich and beautiful ecosystems degraded by unsustainable farming practices.

ELTI helped me visualize what my project could be and helped me realize that I need to do more activities to really make an impact not only on the environment but also on the people. ELTI gave me important information to make Rainforestation projects successful!

Romeo Gutang

In 2018, Romeo submitted a proposal to ELTI and was granted seed funding to establish a 1.2 hectare Rainforestation demonstration farm in Sitio Panggagan, Cawit, Pilar, where 2,400 seedlings of native timber and fruit species were planted. He involved local government officials and visited 22 households to ensure the success of the project, by minimizing disturbances at the project site and promoting sustainable farming practices in Pilar.

Romeo hopes that his project will not only restore unproductive land and bring back local wildlife, but will also protect his coastal community from the strong winds of typhoons.