PIA Press Release
Thursday, January 12, 2012

ESI trains IPs on sustainable eco-farming

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) –- The Endangered Species International (ESI) recently trained Indigenous People (IP) living within the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL) in Tupi, South Cotabato on sustainable, ecologically friendly farming.

The participants, who came from the B’laan tribe, were brought to “Uyag – uyag,” a 36-hectare model farm, managed by the Brightening Life Training Center (BLTC) which is advocating organic farming technology, and sustainable diversified farming.

Rev. Joseph Narredo, head of “Uyag-uyag” farm revealed that all plants in the area, “from vegetables to fruits are organic.”

“We need to go organic as the world is getting polluted because of too much use of chemicals and pesticides,” the local government of Tupi quoted Narredo as saying.

“Uyag-uyag” farm is located in Barangay Cebuano, a place at the other side of the mountain slope which can only be reached by two hours of trekking the nine-kilometer steep and narrow road.

Meanwhile, ESI president, Dr. Pierre Fidenci explained that the training of residents inside MMPL is necessary to ensure sustainable farming practices to complement with the efforts of protecting tarsier habitat in Mt. Matutum.

Fidenci, along with other experts from ESI, is in the municipality for a two-month study and exploration of the habitat of tarsiers in the municipality which are now considered an endangered primate.

He pointed out that the study is necessary in planning for a sustainable eco-tourism project in the area.

“We want the B’laans to enjoy the economic benefits of this eco-tourism project” Fidenci said.

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. has expressed full support to the project and is hoping that it would help boast local tourism industry in the next few years. (PGFruylan/PIA-Gensan with reports from LGU Tupi)