Launched in 2003, On Demand Community, IBM's flagship program for empowering volunteers, enables employees and retirees to find volunter activities and identify skills and expertise they can contribute to a specific cause. Last year, IBM volunteers worked on a Mangrove reforestation project in Olango Island at Lapu-Lapu but this time, the activity is focused in Poblacion, Aloguinsan, Cebu. As part of its 75th anniversary, IBM Philippines has collaborated with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) for a Mangrove plantation and maintenance project in the said province of Cebu on June 16, 2012.


Together with other CBSi and iLuvCebu Bloggers, FaceCebu.net author joined the environmentalism affair with IBM employees and volunteers. We met at IT Park Lahug and together we traveled for an estimated time of two to three hours before we arrived at the Municipality proper of the province of Aloguinsan. Aloguinsan, known as a fishing town in the Midwest of Cebu has over 5,000 households that depend on fishing for a living. It is said that 75% of all tropical commercial fisheries pass part of their lives through mangroves because it serve as nursery grounds, provide shelter and food.

Before the planting proper, we first visit Bojo river known to everybody as "Mini Palawan Of Cebu" and did a cruise. Hospitality was embraced while receiving a fresh Buko juice with a designed Gumamela flower in it paired witht heir native or home made bread. Smiling faces welcomed us and the volunteers. After a short break, one of the Natives gave us a lecture on the Mangrove detrital food chain and how Mangroves help in populating the fishes in that area.


Bojo River Nature Reserve, which includes the 1.4 kilometer long Bojo river and its riparian zone - home to about 61 bird specifies and remarkable native flora including the 22 species of Mangroves, was protected by local fishermen and natives. Local guides will paddle you down to the river in a traditional baroto, while they interpret the river's rich natural and cultural heritage including the famous Goddess Maria Tang-an. According to townsfolk, she was a nature spirit who took the form of a one-eyed, single-breasted female, a siren in the tradition of cyclops of Homeric epic and a protectress of the home that was a wilderness as natural as any primeval Eden (via Business Mirror)




The tour was organized by the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS). Here are the packages for the ECOTour.

Duration: 3 hours

Rates:
5 persons – Php800.00/head
6-10persons – Php550.00/head
11-15pax – Php530.00/head
16-20pax – Php500.00/head
20-30pax – Php480.00/head
30-50pax – Php450.00/head

Package includes orientation and lecture on mangroves,  ecology and bird wildlife lecture, handicraft (mat-weaving) demo, a buffet lunch and a snack (cool drink and freshly-baked salvaro, a native pastry) and a cruise down the river (via Lovely Philippines)

You can contact Rudney Carcuevas with the mobile numbers below.

TM/Globe: 0905-9133-055
Sun: 0922-4798-822








So much of the River Cruising, now back to the main goal of the visit - Mangrove Planting. The River cruise was initially done so that volunteers can understand and really appreciate what would be the fruit of their effort in planting Mangrove trees in the shores of Poblacion. "Planting and maintaining Mangrove forests greatly contribute not only in ensuring the balance in our ecosystem and the protection of our natural resources and people. It also helps in bringing back biodiversity, in developing eco-tourism, and sustaining socio-economic development in our country. Thus, community-based initiatives are crucial in the preservation and nurturance of the environent," RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz said.







IBM's deep commitment to drive progress through innovation resonates in the company's engagement with the industry, academe, government and communities that strategically employs IBM's technology and expertise to enhance the country's global competitiveness and help improve the lives of the citizens. "On July 20, 2012, IBM will mark a diamond milestone -- 75 years of operations and service in the Philippines, unmatched in the local technology industry," said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager of IBM Philippines. "This year will not simply be a milestone, rather it will be an opportunity to heighten IBM's commitment to the country. We have been in Cebu for five decades now and we will continue to engage in partnership with cebu to seize the opportunities and the promise of Cebu today and the years beyond," she added.

Complete Set of Photos at FaceCebu.Net Facebook Page