San remigio: The municipality of San Remigio is calling for volunteers to help in the establishment of a 'forest library' on its 18-hectare timberland. In an interview Thursday, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) chief Ruth Martinez said the local government will be planting dipterocarp, or the endangered tree species such as yakal, kamagong, and almasiga, in a timberland in Barangay Osorio II.

According to Philippines News Agency, the project is being implemented in partnership with the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) through its Nature-based Solutions Trial Project. Martinez emphasized the need for volunteers to assist in planting approximately 18,000 threatened dipterocarps as part of the initiative to rejuvenate the forest.

Martinez noted that the EDC, as part of its social corporate responsibility, is currently in the process of transporting the tree seedlings to the designated area. In addition to forest rejuvenation, the project aims to enhance the local eco-tourism industry, attracting more tourists to San Remigio.

Martinez highlighted that the initiative could also encourage endangered bird species to inhabit the area, referencing a woodpecker spotted with a nest and eggs last summer. The project is designed to protect the area from soil erosion and prevent siltation in the nearby Danao Lake.

Despite some claimants on the timberland, Martinez mentioned that EDC is providing them with livelihood opportunities through the tree planting activity. These claimants will play a role in ensuring the project's success, potentially leading to more areas being planted with trees.

San Remigio is known as the 'Little Baguio' or 'Baguio of Panay' due to its cool climate and scenic upland views.