BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
ON SEPTEMBER 27 to 29, I was accidentally brought to San Joaquin, Iloilo.
The place is a typical “where the sea meets the mountain”. Quite awesome, promise. More so in Sitio Igbulawan, Barangay Cataan.
There, I discovered a “hidden gem” – a three-hectare Igbulawan mini-forest. It is a product of a “green” passion that, for a nature lover like me, is a superb place to unwind and relax, and learn lots of things as well.
FORMER ‘KAINGIN’ SITE
Some 15 years ago, the Igbulawan mini-forest was a kaingin (slashing and burning of trees) site for the Atis (indigenous people) in San Joaquin.
This three-hectare private mountain property – around 200 meters above sea level – was owned by Leticia Serag, mother of Provincial Board member of the 1st District of Iloilo, Marcelo Valentine Serag.
The place was previously almost barren and served as a refuge of Leticia’s son every time he was scolded by his mom when he was still a kid. Being an only child, Marcelo Valentine had nobody to lean on except for a dried creek where he would pour his angst until he felt relieved.
After graduating from college in Manila, the electronics and communications engineer-turned-environmental advocate found himself in the midst of an un-choreographed mission – gradually reforesting his mother’s mountain place.
With the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 6 and some friends, he was able to secure seedlings of native trees and planted them randomly in his beloved refuge area.
These native trees included Toog, Narra, Salong, and Marawan, among others.
‘POCKET GEM’
Fast-forward, Igbulawan mini-forest is now a sanctuary to a thousand of full-grown native trees, alongside endemic ornamental plants and birds as well.
The place is now considered a “pocket gem” hidden within the integrated forestry sites of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Sitio Igbulawan.
‘RAIN FOREST’
Now, Board Member Serag is even amazed by the turnout of his endeavor born out of a “green” passion to “cure” a denuded environment closest to his heart.
But such a passion was not easy; it was highlighted by a lot of sacrifices aimed at restoring his mom’s disregarded place back to its original natural grandeur with thriving native trees and birds.
But amid praises with the current state of the Igbulawan mini-forest, he vowed not to rest yet. Rather, he is more than inclined to finish his very mission – to make the area into a “rain forest”.
“Quite challenging, but I will never relax in pursuing my immense dream. Because having now more than a thousand towering trees, the lone creek in the area has been resurrected to its natural state with abundant flowing water,” he said.
During the El Niño phenomenon (January to April), the creek provided the water needs of their animals and plants in the forest.
‘BIRDS’ PARADISE’
The Igbulawan mini-forest is now being envisioned as a “birds’ paradise” – for native birds, of course, like Punay, Bukaw and Lanseyang.
“There’s a great feeling beyond explanation while listening to the humming of birds. But its more inspiring to see towering trees that you yourself had planted over a decade ago,” said Board Member Serag.
‘NATURE AMBASSADORS’
He wants his three kids to be the next stewards of his mini-forest, and to act as “nature ambassadors”.
“I want to retire here, but I want them (my kids) to tweet to the public why I created this mini-forest, and the very purpose enshrined in my heart and mind,” Serag said.
When he was a councilor in San Joaquin in 2004 to 2013, he authored a municipal ordinance that requires every San Joaquiñon to plant a tree before he or she can obtain a barangay clearance.
Such an ordinance, until now, is being enforced by the 85 barangays in San Joaquin.
The purpose is to see to it that San Joaquin’s mountainous areas will attain its full-reforestation soonest, free from timber poaching and/or kaingin.
In a nutshell, to be a “green” passionate person means to have positive emotion and energy, plus willingness to engage in pro-environmental individuals and behaviors.
And great American singer Willie Nelson said, “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”/PN
