2016.09.16 Ten Productive Years since the First Lakeshore Tree Planting Project

Ten years ago, on September 16, 2006. Around 400 (371) Bangkay Trees were planted in the Panayakapan side of Lake Mainit (Eastern Shore) . More than 200 volunteers participated from around 10 partners organizations.  More than 50 individuals and organizations sponsored (bought) the Adopt-a-Tree project.

It has been 10 years... and I can't help but be grateful to all those who those labored hard and make these projects come into reality... and be happy for all Mainitnon, Surigaonons, Agusanons... for our children and granchildren!

I will go home on 19 September 2016 to help celebrate this wonderful memory by planting more trees in the Lakeshores of Lake Mainit! Kitakits!

After 2006, 5 more tree planting projects  followed, covering 13kms of the 62-km Lake Mainit Shores and 3km of Bitan-ag Riverbanks...
2010- TMI in Panayakpan 5km of lakeshore (371 Susot and Bangkay)
2012 - TMI in Bitan-ag River 3km of riverbanks (Bamboos)
2013 - Barangay Quezon in Panayakpan same 5km of lakeshore (Bangkay)
2015 - MG in Bitan-ag another 5km of lakeshore (650 Bangkay Trees)
2016 - Alegrianons in Alegria shores around 3km of lakeshore (200+ Trees)

One of the 2006 Bangkal Trees with fully grown roots at 8 years old.

One of the 2006 Bangkal Trees towering at around 20 feet high and 8 inches in diameter.

1870s - Evidence that the lake shores of Mainit were heavily forested

Tuod, remnants of the 1900 lakeshore forest. Photo: FTA Paredes, Alegria, Surigao del Norte

This 6 May 1878 missionary letter of Fr. Antonio Chambo, SJ written in Jabonga, Agusan to the Jesuit Mission Superior in Manila also documented the rich forest covers of the Surigao-Agusan mountain ranges including the shores of Lake Mainit.

In page 58, Fr. Chambo described:

“In this spot of Mindanao, mancono (magcono) grows so abundantly that these trees blanket the entire mountain range running from Surigao to Butuan, that is from north to south. Its hardness is similar to that of iron, such that it resists all tools, except in an expert’s hands. It has besides the advantage of not rotting in water, which is not true of other hardwoods of  great density like tiga, molave and narra. Although resistant for years to the action of water, they yield and rot in the end. Tiga is also found abundantly, wood similar to mancono for its hardness but which does not share its incorruptibility. On the lake shores facing the mountain, one finds molave, too. Red narra is found in profusion on the flat land around the lake, as well as balayon, tindalo, woods precious for their red color, softness, and suitability for all kinds of work. Such, in a word, is the wealth in woods so common here that they are not valued. elsewhere, they would be valued as treasure.”

Source: Fr. Jose S. Arcilla SJ (1990), “Jesuit Missionary Letters from Mindanao” Vol. V: The Surigao Mission.