In preparation for the Make it Makiling! (MIM!) 2026, the Steering Committee, headed by Forester Alexis Fajardo, held an initial Volunteers’ Meeting at the Toyota Environment Education Theater (TEET), Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) on 20 February 2026. The meeting convened key partner agencies and stakeholders such as Barangay Bagong Silang, RESCUEKIDZ, Laguna Rescue, Lobset, the 1st Laguna Provincial Mobile Force Company (1LPMFC), the Tourist Police Unit of the Laguna Police Provincial Office (Laguna PPO), Rural Health Unit of Municipal Government of Los Baños, Safety and Security Office of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-SSO), and the members of MIM! 2026 Steering Committee. The participants were oriented on the rationale and history behind MIM! during the meeting, along with an overview of the program’s role in ensuring orderly, safe, and meaningful visitor management during the Lenten season within the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP).
The meeting emphasized briefing volunteers on the rules and regulations in place at MMFR, the ecotourism activities that are permitted, environmental protection measures, safety protocols, and visitor assistance guidelines. There was a clear outline of the core functions, responsibilities, and assigned stations for the volunteer groups. The session wrapped up by addressing questions, providing clarifications, and discussing other concerns, which reinforced the shared commitment of the volunteer groups to the effective and responsible implementation of MIM! 2026. (Article by For. Alexis Fajardo, photo by For. Marlo Caña)