Green Mindanao receives land donation

Edgar Cañete and Dietmar Schug with Mely Estoque

Surigao del Sur (SdS) is famous for its natural beauty and amazingly friendly people. Home to the fabled Iron wood (locally known as Makono) and tourists spots too many to mention it has seen a number of projects implemented by GMAI (see a complete list here). Livelihood and marine resource management projects in Cortes, intensive work with the Mamanwa Tribe around Lake Mainit as well as rehabilitation work after Typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha) were some of the activities already completed. SdS still has extensive mangrove forests and huge potential for preservation and restoration of natural resources.

The Board of Trustees of GMAI was amazed, when it was made an offer by a philanthropic resident of Lianga, Melchora “Mely” Estoque (shown here with President Dietmar Schug and BOT member Edgar Cañete at her residence), to receive as donation a 2,382 sqm property that lies directly at the national highway and is bounded seawards by a healthy mangrove stand. GMAI pledges in return to work towards the protection of the existing mangrove area which like many others are threatened by rapid developments of beach resorts and plans of expanding shrimp and fish ponds. It also assures that it won’t sell or otherwise dispose of this property.  

Lianga has seen the recent destruction of old mangrove stands through the construction of a coastal road which purpose still eludes many residents and which environmental cost is not commensurate to any economic benefit the proponents envisioned.

To come up with a satellite office for future mangrove centered projects will be a big boon for GMAI and on the site educational tours into the mangrove area could be arranged for the residents of Lianga and other nearby areas.