Happy Earth Day - The Green Getaway

Nadine Miller - Organisational Services Administrator

During my trip to the Philippines to visit my family in December, I was able to stay at a delightful ecological resort nestled in the mountains.

Mount Purro Nature Reserve stands out from other eco-friendly resorts as it was established to address a significant issue: the devastating floods caused by typhoons and heavy rainfall. Illegal logging during the 1970s and 1980s left a vast portion of the Upper Marikina Watershed devoid of trees. This deforestation made Metro Manila vulnerable to severe flooding.

Recognising this problem, Toto Malvar, the visionary behind Mount Purro Nature Reserve, initiated a reforestation project, placing Mount Purro as the main restoration site. Over 700,000 trees have been successfully planted and meticulously cared for to date.

The indigenous Dumagat tribes residing in the mountains encountered challenges due to the lack of alternative livelihood options. Consequently, they resorted to small-scale illegal logging, charcoal production, and kaingin farming (the burning of forests for cultivation to grow crops). In response, Toto devised a grassroots approach for reforestation and watershed rehabilitation.

In his words, in order to take care of the forest, one must first take care of the people.

During my stay, I witnessed the profound sense of community and admiration the locals held for Toto. The forest flourished, as did the residents. I felt more connected to nature than ever before, away from my electronic devices (as there was limited network and no free WiFi), allowing me to embrace the simplicity of life.

In addition to the remarkable reforestation project, the resort is addressing various other issues. By discontinuing the use of single-use plastic and refraining from providing toiletries, they are effectively reducing waste production. Their ultimate objective is to achieve zero waste sent to landfills, with 99% of the waste generated being reused, recycled, or composted.

The solution implemented to address the environmental and societal challenges in the region was no easy feat. However, safeguarding the environment is crucial for a sustainable future.

With only one Earth, it is our responsibility to ensure it’s here for future generations.