Protecting the environment has always been central to Rotary service, from the onset of the organization’s earliest days up to the present; Rotarians have planted millions of trees, created parks and carried out recycling activities in their communities all over the world. Through the efforts of 1990-91 RI President Paulo V.C.Costa, Rotary International adopted the program Preserve Planet Earth which has following goals;

Focus attention of all Rotarian on taking action to protect and preserve the planet Increase the number of environmental service projects undertaken by Rotary clubs Promote awareness among Rotarians and Rotary clubs of environmental issues Foster image of Rotary clubs as dedicated to Preserving Planet Earth

It is through this thrust that the Rotary Club of Banilad Metro has initiated projects and activities to help preserve, protect and enhance Cebu’s unique biodiversity and natural wonders. There is an urgent need to raise awareness on the critical environmental health of Cebu as it has already been identified as one of the world’s “hottest of hotspots” in terms of both number of threatened species and levels of threat. It is one of the most denuded islands in the Philippines, with the original forest cover comprising less than 1% of its total land area. These forest patches are of high importance as they support a significant population of two endangered species of birds found only in Cebu and nowhere else in the world; the Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor) and the Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis). There are also at least 14 species and sub-species of birds and flora and fauna endemic to the island, including the Cebu Cinnamon Tree (Cinnamomum cebuense) - a plant of medicinal properties.

The Rotary Club of Banilad Metro supports the campaign to help preserve this forest fragments and its flora and fauna against numerous threats including; human and agricultural encroachment, indiscriminate illegal logging, unsustainable collection of forest products, land disputes, non-implementation of environmental laws and most considerably, the community’s general lack of knowledge and understanding on the importance of these ecological heritage. Through a partnership with the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (CBCF), an environmental non-government organization at the forefront of nature conservation, the club lends a hand in addressing these threats and has already collaborated on projects, among others;

RCBM RoTex Tabunan Trek A guided lecture tour for RC Banilad Metro’s members and families with a Rotary Exchange high school student from Davao on Tabunan forest, identified as one of the world’s most critical endemic bird areas and home to the Black Shama and the reclusive Cebu Flowerpecker. It is also home to numerous forest birds and bats as well as species of plants like the Banilad tree for which the club’s community is named after. The bird watching and forest trekking activity and extensive seminar on the endemic flora and fauna was the highlight of the club’s Rot-Ex program, which aims to educate the exchange student on Cebu’s biological wonders and hopefully share this experience and information to his classmates back in Davao. There was also a consultative luncheon with the community’s local government officials.

Forest Bird Guides and ID’s RCBM’s donation of bird field guides for use by wardens, students, visitors and researchers for the identification of birds found within the protected forests. The identification cards correspond with the issuance of field guides for visitor monitoring and control. This is an important reference material for the forest wardens in terms of correctly classifying distinct bird species and relaying essential data to CBCF scientists.

RCBM also plans for RI year 2003-04 the following projects and activities in cooperation with the CBCF; Sponsorship and/or assistance in the printing of Posters on the Endemic Series Cebu’s Birds, Bats, Herps and Flora Sponsorship and Assistance on the printing of CBCF’s brochure Eco-Camp for high school students Environment Laws training and legal assistance to CBCF community project sites Establishment of a Banilad Tree park and nursery

Another major ecological concern for the club is the promotion of awareness on the threats to the city’s water tributaries in the upland watershed communities. Shortage of safe water and sanitation has been made a priority by the RI Board of Directors and Council on Legislation, and clubs throughout the globe are tasked to address this problem. As part of the program Preserve Planet Earth, RCBM also focuses efforts on the campaign for a sustainable and clean water supply and the rehabilitation of Cebu’s polluted waterways. The club has identified critical action on the mountain communities inside the watershed areas and its river tributaries and streams for priority projects, as these are vital sources for Cebu’s drinking water. These sources are in constant threat of pollution and degradation from garbage and toxic chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers. The establishment of communities and orchards near these tributaries had exposed them to various concerns and thus there is need to safeguard the environmental health of these areas. RCBM recently launched its “River Trek and Clean up” which aims to disseminate information on the importance of these upland tributaries and raise advocacy for the sustainable management and protection of these natural resources. Everyone was invited to join the activity to contribute their time and effort for the clean up drive with the reward in itself, the discovery of nature’s wonders – pools, lagoons, caves, cascades, rock trails – an the helping assure safe drinking water for the future. Consequently, the local community inhabitants were encouraged to participate and provided materials of information on correct waste disposal. There is still much work to be done, though this is just the first phase of RC Banilad Metro’s commitment to lend a hand to this particular environment project.

Everyone’s existence is dependent on the web of life and through the efforts of Rotarians everywhere to Preserve Planet Earth; there is hope for a better future. With support from other clubs and Rotarians, organizations, people’s groups, and civic-minded individuals, RC Banilad Metro hopes to take the lead in finding solutions to some of Cebu’s environmental problems – particularly on biodiversity conservation and the protection of its upland water resources. To act now makes a big difference while there is still time left to save the only planet we’ll ever call home: Earth.

RCBM invites everyone to Lend a Hand in Preserving Planet Earth!