By: LACastillo
On 18 April 2024, the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) was awarded the Outstanding Extension Team for the project entitled “Participatory Development through Community Based Natural Resources Management in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve and Mt. Bulalo” during 114th CFNR Founding Anniversary with the theme “From Roots to Canopy: Honoring our Legacy, Cultivating our Future – Commemorating 114 Years of Forestry Excellence at CFNR”. The award is in recognition of MCME’s outstanding and risk-taking implementation of the project, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing participatory management in all aspects, innovative community activities, agroforestry-based farm technologies, and tripartite partnership towards a more sustainable participatory resource management of the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park and Mt. Bulalo. The three-year project was funded by the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC).
The MCME Project Extension Team was led by For. Nicasio M. Balahadia, Project Leader and Social Forestry Division Head, with MCME Director Lerma SJ. Maldia and Deputy Director Juancho B. Balatibat during the awarding program.