Here is the latest report of Brod Ulysses Alama, President of the UPV Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association, on the status of the Centennial Forest project in UPV Miagao:
Out of more than two thousand different tress planted (40 species) at the UPV Centennial Forest (CenFor) twenty months ago, around 50-60% remain standing and under threat to inadequacy of water supply. Forty percent (40%) of mortality can be attributed to very poor soil condition, presence of weeds, unreliable peripheral fences and stray animals.
Measures to check these problems has been taken in coordination with the UPV Administration, Barangay Officials and animal owners. Solutions were short-lived and proved ineffective.
With the eminent danger of losing the CenFor without a good fight, residents and local alumni Brods with some invited student organization took all the efforts to combat these problems.
These were weeding and mulching, dung fertilizing and even utilizing empty mineral water as ‘catheter’ for watering. This collective action momentarily lessened the spread of dying tress not until the onslaught of dry season from September 2009 to present, making every tree cope for survival.
Last February 14, 2010, the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity International granted the second tranche of US$500 through Brod Rene de Rueda as committed to support UPV Brods nurture the CenFor. Some of this amount was primarily used to procure and install watering system right at the very core of the CenFor site. This happened after the three weeks of ardous negotiations with the UPV Administration to build such facility.
At present, the resident Brods, some with their friends and ‘loved ones’ are watering the trees whereby every resident Brods was assigned to a specific area in the Cenfor. The watering consumed at least two (2) hours which is much easier and efficient. Some of the Iloilo-based alumni Brods are also helping in watering the trees in some weekends.
For almost a month, most trees showed remarkable development. New leaves shoot out while yellowish ones turning green. Although some of the trees were unable to recuperate due to intense heat of blazing sun, plans of replacing it are to be laid this coming rainy season.
Individual tree guards are being prepared instead of peripheral fence which is easily infested by termites. Planting bamboos or ‘madre de cacao’ around the area is also an option to replace destroyed fences. Furthermore, a ‘bahay kubo’ is targeted for construction including branching pipelines with faucets.
Another serious problem is expected this summer break for only Brod Taui and Brod Yuls will be left behind to tender the watering of the entire CenFor aside from the fact that there will be a longer summer coming. In addition, water supply itself is now rationed by the UPV Administration from 7:30am until 7:00pm until the summer ends
UPV Centennial Forest 