TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato — For years, farming was a constant struggle for Rejilar Banesio, a father of five from Sitio Akbang, Barangay Tablu, in Tampakan, South Cotabato.
Born into a family of farmers, Banesio spent most of his life tilling a hilly and sloping parcel of land inherited from his parents. He planted corn, banana, and coconut, but unpredictable weather, high fertilizer costs, and difficult terrain often resulted in poor harvests and minimal income.
“Tong una, mais-mais mi. Lain man kaayo ang abot. Saging, lubi—indi ma-maintain, mahal ang abono, so gastos gihapon,” he shared.
With farming proving unsustainable due to the land’s topography, Banesio searched for other ways to support his family.
That opportunity came when he learned about the reforestation program of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), which utilizes private lands as tree replacement sites under its environmental compliance for the Tampakan Project.
Seeing potential, Banesio enrolled 9.47 hectares of his land into the program. Today, around 9,125 tree seedlings have been planted on his property.
“Nakahuna-huna ko nga mas maayo sa SMI. Amo gani nga daw naghayahay ang panginabuhi ta. Naka-uyat ta sang kuwarta nga amo na nga kantidad. Nakabulig sa mga estudyante,” he said, noting how the program helped support his children’s education.
The initiative is part of SMI’s Environmental Protection Program, aligned with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the Environmental Impact Statement System under Presidential Decree No. 1586, which require mining firms to implement rehabilitation, restoration, and environmental monitoring measures.
Beyond compliance, the company integrates biodiversity conservation and community livelihood into its reforestation efforts. Native and indigenous tree species are planted in ecologically sensitive areas, including protected landscapes and barangay-designated conservation zones, with active participation from local residents.
Since 2005, even prior to commercial operations, SMI has planted over 1.2 million tree seedlings across more than 1,100 hectares.
Among the species planted in Banesio’s land are tuai, bagtikan, bakan, barobo, ilang-ilang, narra, bitaog, white lauan, sagimsim, subiang, Philippine acer, kalingag, kamagong, antipolo, and bignay.
“Maayo ni nga solusyon sang SMI, para sa amon, kag sa environment,” he added.
He also emphasized that the area is naturally suited for trees.
“Lasang man ni daan, tamnan na lang sa kahoy para magdaghan ang kahoy.”
As global attention continues to focus on climate action, biodiversity protection, and sustainable resource use, initiatives like this show how environmental rehabilitation can be integrated into community development and responsible mining practices—as demonstrated by the Tampakan Project. (30)
