CIC visits DEAF community
Christians in Conservation Philippines visited the community of Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation, Inc (DEAF, Inc.), its earthkeeping partner, in Paowin, Cavinti Laguna (118 km south of Manila), last March 28-30, 2013. Christians in Conservation, in partnership with D.E.A.F., is setting up a Nature Discovery and Field Learning Center, the Nurturing Tree Seedling Bank and a Green community in its 100 ha property.
CIC Board members Lydia Robledo, Zenet Maramara and Redge Manalo with DEAF Director Buddy Quare (center) and volunteers from Redge’s home church in front of the D.E.A.F. Chapel.
The D.E.A.F. community has a school for the hearing impaired from grade school to college, with about 250 students in attendance this school year 2013-2014.
Swamp and forest vegetation
The newly opened Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex
River at the entrance of the Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex with pristine water
The D.E.A.F. owns the only access road to the newly opened cave. This 7 km road can only be traversed via tractor due to the bad condition of the road, especially during the rainy season. Beyond the D.E.A.F property, a two-lane road was opened by the LGU, felling 10 km of newly regenerated forest vegetation to create an access road to the cave. This road exposed the plant diversity in the area with bountiful wildlife, but it also exposed ongoing massive charcoal making by the locals. In the early 70’s, the sun could not penetrate through the thick canopies of forest vegetation. In the mid-80’s, the whole place was logged heavily. After about 20 years, the forest regenerated only to be cleared again by charcoal makers and land speculators with the opening of the cave.
Part of the newly opened road leading to the Cave that exposed massive deforestation activities by charcoal makers
Left: Deforestation activities in Paowin, close to the caves. Right: Charcoal by the roadside
CIC also carried out tree planting and reforestation activities in the DEAF Community. The group brought hundreds of seedlings to the area. Some of them were planted during the visit; the remaining seedlings will be planted by DEAF, Inc. staff.
Tree planting at DEAF compound
CIC members cleaning the area near the spring inside a patch of old growth forest. The place is a bird sanctuary.