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IIRR Observes Earth Day 2010
(SILANG, Cavite, Philippines – April 22, 2010) – IIRR will be joining the rest of the world in observing the annual Earth Day. IIRR will be conducting two events in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, on April 22. These events coincide with the national observance by Earth Day Network Philippines with this year’s theme of HAMON NG PANAHON: CLIMATE CHANGE, 10 MILYON SOLUSYON (KILOS NA, NGAYON NA!).
A forum and Kakawate planting will be conducted in the morning of Earth Day at the Sisters of Mary, Boystown in Silang, Cavite with about 100 students in attendance. Ms. Maggie Rosimo, Program Specialist of IIRR, will present on climate change followed by a presentation on the importance of Bio-Intensive Gardening (BIG) by Mr. Ronnie Decastro, Bio-Intensive Garden Field Facilitator for IIRR.
Bio-Intensive Gardening, as the name suggests, is a biological (as opposed to chemical) form of agriculture in which a small area of land is intensively cultivated using nature’s own ingredients to rebuild, and then maintain, the soil’s productivity. BIG promotes waste segregation, water and soil conservation, creation of suitable habitat for insect predators, zero use of chemical pesticides, creation of a microclimate and improved family nutrition. Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium), also called Madre de Cacao, is a tree that has been proven to provide multiple benefits for medicinal purposes, organic fertilizer and creating a microclimate.
To celebrate Earth Day this year, the students at Sisters of Mary will be planting Kakawate cuttings and will establish a Kakawate nursery for future planting. IIRR will also be conducting a similar activity, together with its staff and their family members. Kakawate will also be planted in the community bio-intensive garden at the Yen Center, IIRR’s training center in Silang. IIRR commits to preserve and protect its micro-forest inside the 50-hectare Yen Center, making it a micro-climate area and, at the same time, a venue for youth environmental education.
Incidentally, IIRR is actively participating in a weeklong discussion with the Resilience Alliance of Cordaid, International Red Cross and CARE Netherlands, to discuss a Philippine program on community resilience with focus on implementing disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and ecosystem-based approaches.
Reference: Mark A. Cervantes, Program Specialist, Disaster Risk Reduction
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