After a classmate, Merwin Mosquerra, posted my piece on Amantaw Greening at the saha yahoogroups, I have received comments, mostly favorable, about this trailblazing project. Thank you.I will be in the backseat now to give this space to the voices of two Sibalenhons—all alumni of the Sibale Academy, all Famarins—so that those who can hear (read) them will know that Amantaw Greening is, indeed, a worthwhile undertaking.
First off is Floserfino Famarin, Uncle Flos to many Sibalenhons, who writes from far-away Hufuf, Saudi Arabia. His comments are in Asi and English and I am proud to quote him verbatim:
“My sincerest congratulations to you for the success of the 1622: Unang Usbor concert! Pay bali kung na saha sa Sibale ano?
“Salamat sa pagpapatanom it dapat ay indi ig lilikong mga kahoy sa kasapaan ag katunggan it Mt. Amantaw. Ibhan bagang gador kinaong Busay ag Hamtik, pagkatapos ay isunor ka Gubon, Gaylang, Ilada, ag iba pang lugar. Indi iy nako matan-raan it tama kag ngayan it mga lugar. “Ako ing mumungkahi sa Kusog Sibalenhon nak maghuman it programa nak ato pinakang proposal sa municipal LGU nak dapat sunron adong maramo uli ka katuyugan it mga yanggam ag mga magagandang kahoy sa bug-os nak isla.
“I also sincerely express here my warmest thanks to Mayor Cipriano for his action on water, roads and power as well. I propose to the SAAA leadership to arrange a special meeting with the mayor and his officials to discuss what we can do to help Sibale.
“I also suggest that Rogel Fornal, a civil engineer, make his own proposal about road improvement projects, and Joey Fradejas, an electrical engineer, to make a proposal on how to close the power supply in a loop network with another generating station in Bachawan.“On health, I think Boy Fabregas can lead a study on how to improve health services. However, we have to hear first inputs from the barangay level and the municipal health office. Other matters could be discussed in the said meeting, which I prefer to be hosted by the Office of the Mayor on April 12, if ever there is still time for them to book it and if the SAAA leadership is also available.
“Asi nak indi nato kali samantalahon ay kita rang tanan ay mapauli para magkita-kita kag tanang naging eskwela it Sibale Academy sio man sinra sa ngasing (miskan baga kami nak mga unang graduates ay mga lolo’y ag lola’y). Mahapros man ka baliw-ang ay mapasulit nak gador.“Kami bagang mga mahalin reli sa Middle East ay inggwa pa it maitatanom sa Mt. Amantaw agTinigban?”
Well, those suggestions are weighty and I leave it to the alumni named in the letter to consider them. As to the question if the Middle East-based alumni will still have tree seedlings to be planted in April, the answer is, “Plenty”.
Now, let’s hear it from Ramon Famarin, a member of Class 1972, the Martial Law Class of the Academy. He writes from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Long ago, Uncle Ramon, has offered to volunteer his expertise as an agriculturist to improve farm productivity in Sibale. It is unfortunate that past government administrations never took his offer, so a lot of time has been wasted and a talent in Mr. Famarin has remained unutilized.
He wrote not only to commend Amantaw Greening, but also to air his concerns about the project. Let me assure him that his comments and suggestions, valid as they are, will be taken into account as the project progresses.
Here, for your wisdom, are what he had to say:
“Whoever (are) the proponents of Amantaw Greening deserve to be commended for their valuable effort to initiate a project which will have a tremendous impact on the next generations of Sibalenhons, particularly those living at the town proper.
“Greening Amantaw, first of all, requires a draft, a blue print, or better yet a CAD layout of the watershed.
“Through this layout, we could at least estimate its size, know its varying topography, existing vegetation, etc., and (plan) the various activities that will be involved.
“It will not come overnight and it requires collective effort not only from the mayor and his officials, the SAAA alumni, but from all the people of Sibale.
“Since it will start by March 1, I only hope that there is already a program of work at hand. But wait, tree saplings maybe ready, but the timing may not be right.
“The dry season is coming and we might just waste our materials and efforts. How many trees (seedlings) are available for planting at the moment? How big is the watershed? What will be the distance of the seedlings? Which tree, which type? Fast growing or invasive, like San Pedro in nearby Agbatang? These are some of the many questions I'd like to raise.
“Amantaw's topography consists of stiff cliffs and rock beds—an unforgiving terrain. The eastern side (as I see it every time I visit our place) is a very steep slope covered mostly by cogon grass. Thus, during dry season, it oftentimes burns to the ground.
“The cycle is a clue that greening the area is a nightmare. We should consider also domestic animals present in the area. They might just feast on our newly-planted trees if they are left unattended.
“When the watershed has been totally reforested, is there a guarantee that Amantaw spring will not run dry? Of course, there is none. Here, another integral work should be considered: the renovation of the reservoir and the piping system downstream. It was constructed almost half a century ago, with the idea of bringing tap water right into the doorstep of households in the town proper. Today, it is still in use, but cannot bear the required volume of the present population.
“Greening Amantaw needs to be extended a little bit upstream, thereby including the Hamtik watershed. It needs fewer trees since most of the area is covered with coconuts.
“I would volunteer myself as a member to green the area as I was raised and grew up there. Two years back, I was surprised to see a concrete tank just a few meters down the two concrete Hamtik wells. The project, Sibale Spring Development, was funded by the German Embassy in Manila. This was supposed to be a backup of the present water system which Mayor Boyet initiated a year ago. I would be pleased to hear if it is functioning as intended. Or we could bring it to full use by also greening the watershed this coming homecoming.”
What more can I say? These two well-educated Sibalenhons, whose hearts are in the right place when it comes to social responsibility, deserve a round of applause.
Tagayi, Polly, it inaga pag-abot. Ag pamukmukon it sumsumang lambiyong.
Seriously, with Flos and Mon staking their reputation for Amantaw Greening, there is no reason why we shouldn’t all follow the track.
Salamat it sambangkat sa inrong ruha.
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