In recent years, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. was able to rise above challenges such as a global pandemic, super typhoon, and internal and external changes by capacitating its workforce through trainings, evaluating its programs, conducting on-the-ground consultations, and adjusting to the needs of the communities we work with.
RAFI recognizes the significance of partnerships in achieving its goals and actively seeks collaborations with other organizations. To further drive the success of its programs, it also mobilizes all its employees to support initiatives such as Gabii sa Kabilin (GSK) and One to Tree’s (OTT) planting activities.
In 2022, RAFI was able to touch 3.3 million lives and reach 10.7 million lives through programs encompassing poverty alleviation, culture & heritage, youth civic engagement & leadership, health, disaster resilience, education, early childhood care and development and environment/biodiversity.
Even with Typhoon Odette hampering OTT’s operations, its team remained resilient and replaced trees that were lost or damaged. In 2022, it planted 1.26 million upland and mangrove trees, exceeding its annual target by 114%. Last year, it also maintained 1.3 million trees with a 93% overall survival rate. All this was made possible through the combined efforts of farmers, fisherfolk, local government and corporate partners, and the OTT team.
OTT has signed MOAs with 15 LGUs in Cebu, 3 LGUs in Batangas, and 1 LGU in Davao. As of September 2023, it is present in 61 barangays from 23 cities/municipalities in Batangas, Cebu and Davao. It oversees activities in 754 planting sites, including 12 Mangrove areas, and engages with 350 farmers and fisherfolks from 62 People’s Organizations, Associations, and Cooperatives.
“We have provided an avenue for organizations and groups to contribute towards nature conservation, and provided livelihood support for marginalized rural communities,” OTT executive director Anton Dignadice said.
