CEBU CITY — The Cebu A-Park Project’s tree-growing component returned to the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve, with VECO President Engr. Mark Anthony Kindica leading fifty employee-volunteers in planting 8,335 indigenous and fruit-bearing seedlings. The activity was carried out in collaboration with PBSP.
A Renewed Push for Buhisan
The planting site sat at the exit of the famous Spartan Trail, a location chosen to enrich forest cover and strengthen the watershed. Volunteers worked under the guidance of DENR–Central Cebu Protected Landscape coordinator Mario Gabucan Jr. and eight staff members who assisted throughout the day.
Every seedling adds to the reserve’s capacity to hold water, prevent erosion, and support wildlife. For Cebu City, a healthier Buhisan means more reliable water sources and better protection against climate-related hazards that threaten communities and businesses.
Volunteers and Community Partners
The Baksan-Sapangdaku Farmers Association joined with fifteen active members, helping facilitate the planting and committing to maintain and monitor the area. Their role ensures that the day’s effort grows into a lasting forest for future generations.
Following the planting, PBSP hosted a fellowship program where volunteers, DENR personnel, and community partners gathered to celebrate shared progress. The gathering strengthened collaboration for the continued rehabilitation of the watershed and reinforced bonds among stakeholders.
Long-Term Watershed Rehabilitation
The Cebu A-Park Project is a five-year initiative of Aboitiz Foundation, VECO, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, implemented with PBSP. It targets 150 hectares for rehabilitation through 250,050 indigenous, fruit-bearing, and flowering trees across the protected landscape.
The project also includes a central nursery, two kilometers of riparian vegetation, and a butterfly sanctuary. It aims to mobilize at least 700 VECO employee-volunteers while creating livelihood opportunities for beneficiary households in surrounding communities.
Why Watersheds Matter
Watersheds like Buhisan collect and filter rainwater, feeding rivers, wells, and downstream communities. Forest loss can reduce water supply, increase flooding, and raise costs for households and businesses that depend on stable water sources.
Reforestation also supports biodiversity, storing carbon and providing habitat for birds, insects, and native plants. These benefits extend beyond the reserve, improving air quality and cooling surrounding areas as Cebu continues to urbanize.
Sustaining the Gains
The Baksan-Sapangdaku Farmers Association will continue maintenance, protection, and monitoring of planted areas. Their involvement creates local stewardship and ensures seedlings survive beyond the initial planting season, turning a single event into lasting environmental change.
Off-farm livelihood training and disaster risk reduction programs further strengthen community resilience. By linking environmental protection with economic opportunity, the project addresses both ecological and social goals while empowering local partners.
