Barangay Captain Camoitioao L. Alinso Jr. of Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet sharing his dreams for his community and his plans for a green waste disposal system which would be located in an area of the mountain pictured above.

Small communities making a big difference

The environment is best protected by people who understand at an instinctive level, the importance of their natural resources. Rural communities rely on the rivers and the land for livelihood and they recognize the weight of their actions. Last April 24, 2015, the community of Natubleng in Buguias, Benguet met in a Barangay Assembly to discuss various community concerns. The Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation took this chance to discuss upcoming activities for the project, Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed through Good Governance and Active Peoples’ Participation. A project which aims to work towards the protection of the Amburayan, a river which runs through Buguias and irrigates many of their vegetable fields.

The activity was attended by community elders and representatives of People’s Organizations in the area to ensure that any and all concerns are discussed. Participants provided recommendations on the ideal species of trees to be planted for the upcoming tree planting activity and the best areas to conduct the said activity. This participative governance of such a small community is an ideal which the Foundation aspires to encourage in local government units of all levels.

Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed through Good Governance and Active People’s Participation is a project funded by the USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation and is implemented by the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. (JVOFI).