In a significant move to protect the country's highest peak, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. has joined forces with the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous Peoples to establish a unique living barrier on the slopes of Mount Apo. The collaborative effort saw the planting of one thousand arabica coffee seedlings along the iconic Sibulan Trail, aiming to safeguard strict protection zones while opening up sustainable economic opportunities for the local tribe.
A Living Barrier for a Sacred Mountain
This tree-planting activity, which took place recently, marks the second year of the community-led 'Kahoy Mo, Kinabuhi Ko' reforestation project. The initiative is strategically designed to prevent encroachment into the environmentally sensitive areas of Mount Apo. By creating a coffee biofence, the project establishes a natural boundary that protects biodiversity-rich zones from unauthorized entry.
The endeavor was a true partnership, bringing together the Tribal Councils of Sibulan Clusters 1 and 2, the Barangay Council of Sibulan, and the Apo Sandawa Porters’ Association (ASPA). The Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. provided crucial support for the project.
Consultation and Community Choice
The selection of arabica coffee was a deliberate and consultative decision. Christe Torres, Aboitiz Renewables External Relations Supervisor for Southern Mindanao, explained the process. "After consulting with NCIP XI (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples - Region XI), the council began planting coffee in designated areas in October 2025," Torres stated.
"We chose coffee to serve as a living boundary for the Strict Protection Zone (SPZ). This protects the Mt. Apo forest while providing a crop that the IP community can eventually harvest and sell," she added, highlighting the dual purpose of conservation and livelihood.
Environmental and Economic Synergy
For the Indigenous community, the project represents a harmonious blend of protecting their ancestral domain and securing their future. Datu Jun Tolentino, Tribal Chieftain of Cluster 1, emphasized that the coffee biofence actively supports Mount Apo's delicate ecosystem while simultaneously creating viable livelihood options for upland families.
This sentiment was echoed by Noreen Vicencio, First Vice President and General Manager for Hydro Operations at Aboitiz Renewables. Vicencio stressed that the project demonstrates how conservation efforts are most powerful when local communities are at the helm.
"By supporting a coffee biofence along Mt. Apo, we are helping protect a critical ecosystem while enabling Indigenous families to build a sustainable source of income," Vicencio said. "This is how we translate renewable energy into shared value, where environmental protection and livelihoods grow together."
The 'Kahoy Mo, Kinabuhi Ko' project stands as a concrete example of how corporate-community partnerships can address complex challenges. It moves beyond simple tree-planting by:
- Creating an economically productive barrier for strict protection zones.
- Empowering the Bagobo Tagabawa community through a sustainable agri-venture.
- Ensuring long-term forest protection through direct community stewardship and benefit.
As these one thousand seedlings take root, they symbolize a growing hope for Mount Apo—a future where its pristine forests are preserved by the very people who hold them sacred, supported by a renewable energy leader committed to generating value that extends far beyond electricity.
