Im excited to write about all that has happened in Permaculture here in Philippines! We incorporated Permaculture Action Asia as a non-profit NGO (a non stock corporation registered with the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission) thanks to pro bono work by Atty Michal Gatchalian. Greg Knibbs has visited Cebu twice and Edge5 Permaculture has pledged to be a major donor/sponsor to us. We have connected with Governor Gwen Garcia, some Provincial Departments (Agriculture, and Environment and Natural Resources), and Provincial Board members. We are organizing 5 demonstration sites in Cebu City and around the province. A number of NGOs and civic service
organizations have also indicated their support, including RAFI, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Cebu Leads Foundation, Cebu Business Club and the Rotary Club of Cebu, among others. We are blessed to have Roy Lotzof’s help in reaching so many more sectors of our community, including the mining sector.
The locations of the future Permaculture demonstration sites will be:
1) Cebu City- a 70 hectare forest/timberland project in the hills of Pardo
2) Toledo- partnership with Carmen Copper and Local Government (mayor and senior staff in Toledo are very supportive)
3) Danao- partnership with Seri Mining, a soon to be open coal project
4) Argao- partnership with Provincial Board Member Hon, Wilfredo Caminero- also involved in Coal mining
5) A 5th Cebu Province site provided by PENRO (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) through director Richard Abella is being selected now.
The demo farms will be up and running by the end of 2010
We are hoping to secure funding for a full time Permaculture teaching institute to spread the message nationwide! We will have a handful of Permaculture teachers on staff working teaching full time.
Most of the Permaculture community worldwide works outside of academe, while here, we are striving to get academia, government and business behind our movement from the start and introduction of Permaculture to our country. The Dean of Architecture of University of San Carlos, Omar Maxwell Espina is suppporting us. Join us!
We are looking for students, partners, volunteers, interested parties, funding, grants, land, support (financial, moral or otherwise!), etc etc. We are so excited about the potential of Permaculture to:
1) feed our people with a diverse and organic diet;
2) beautify our landscape;
3) reverse so many of the negative effects our overexploitation of our
natural resources has caused to our country;
4) save energy costs and reduce carbon emmissions.
5) provide a livelihood
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