A model for rural and urban link
Workers roam the forest with the use of horses
Iloilo Washington Commercial's IFMA site has not only contributed to the growth of the Muncipality of Ajuy, which now ranks first in terms of forest rehabilitation efforts (prompting the region to rank third in the country in terms of forest cover) but has provided jobs as well to the 20 families nearby the area who have been hired to maintain the trees
In its attempt to the help the world in appeasing Mother Nature, the Philippine government has come up with measures and programs that will not only restore the balance of the ecosystem, but provide livelihood to some individuals. One of such programs is the Industrial Forest management Agreement (IFMA) that eventually established the Industrial Forest Plantations (IFPs) that called for the support of private sector investment, encouraging them to plant trees for future use in the furniture industry so as to prevent denudation of the forest.
Here in Iloilo, that call was answered by Iloilo Washington Commercial (IWC) under business magnate Johnny Que who is known for instilling the value of hard work and commitment to its employees --- the very reason for how the Que's family's string of businesses made a mark in this part of the globe. In behalf of his Iloilo Washington Commercial, Johnny Que leased 540.79 hectares of land in Ajuy last 1996, which includes three villages namely Progreso, Badiangan and Agbobolo. Through the project initially rooted from the want to have an sample supply of raw materials for his furniture business, Johnny Que's hidden love for the ecosystem gradually inched to the surface.
At present, the 12-year-old project has been operating silently as Johnny wants it completely done before exposing it to the public. The 398,000 existing trees have robustly greened the mountains of Ajuy, a proof that the project is on its way to success. The area boasts of a rich fauna of popular species like Mahogany, Narra, Germelina and the exotic specie of Acacia Mangium.
Iloilo Washington Commercial's IFMA site has not only contributed to the growth of the Muncipality of Ajuy, which now ranks first in terms of forest rehabilitation efforts (prompting the region to rank third in the country in terms of forest cover) but has provided jobs as well to the 20 families nearby the area who have been hired to maintain the trees.
IWC plans to plant more trees and to develop the site further, envisioning an eco-tourism community that would be in sync with the government's environmental policies and tourism drive that are environment friendly.
Another entity under IWC is the Orchard Valley Incorporated, with farm that is located at Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City.
"This was created to sustain the project of IWC in the mountains of Ajuy," Que said.
It has 45 varieties of vegetables and fruits. These are being sold in the Que family business, Iloilo Supermart. Next year, Que will raise organic chicken and organic lamb. The orchard will also be transferred to a 12-hectare lot in Tigum, Pavia.
Iloilo Washington Commercial recently received the Urban Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). This is the second holding of the Urban Leadership Awards. This honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the public realm and the quality of life in the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras area.
There are 10 awardees from Iloilo City. They are Edgar Sia, Henry Babiera, Sonia Cadornigara, Ma. Luisa "Marissa" Segovia, Edgar Sia for individual awardees and Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Incorporated, Iloilo Washington Commercial, Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC), SM Waste Market Fair, Taytay sa Kauswagan and Callbox, for the organization awardees.