After the successful first run of a project to help conserve the Davao River watershed, Holcim Philippines has renewed its partnership with an environment group to train an indigenous community in the Marilog uplands on ideal farming techniques to discourage them from timber-poaching. On Jan. 22, Holcim Davao signed a memorandum of agreement to extend by another year the financial support to the Kinaiyahan Foundation, Inc. for the training of 40 more Matigsalug families on Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT). The said technique is designed to put less pressure on the remaining forest ecosystem in Marilog, located about 60 kilometers away from the city proper. Under the MoA, the beneficiaries will be trained on SALT to cultivate indigenous and fruit trees as well as cash crops such as rice, corn and sweet potatoes to improve their food security and income thus lessening their need to engage in destructive activities such as timber- poaching.

Holcim backs Davao river watershed conservation. (2013, February 22). Malaya Business Insight, p. A10.