Volunteerism is a basic expression of human relationships. It is about people’s need to participate in their societies and to feel that they matter to others.
I believe that the social relationships intrinsic to volunteer work are critical to individual and community well-being.
When we are doing good for others and the community, it provides us a natural sense of accomplishment. And the better we feel about ourselves, the more likely we are to have a positive view of our life.
WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER?
This spirit of volunteerism is best exemplified by Ruel Inojaldo Perez of the Baslay Farmers Association (BFA), producer of single-origin coffee.
One Saturday, I had a Zoom chat with him to discuss on the recent wins of the BFA.
Ruel disclosed that he started as volunteer of the association since he was a teenager. The association was what inspired him to pursue his dreams of being a forester and practitioner of organic agriculture. He volunteered his time as a technical consultant, working tirelessly to address issues that were preventing the BFA’s success. He even reorganized the association in order to save it from collapse. Today, he works as the Chairman of the Board of the Baslay Farmers Association ( BFA).
He also served in multiple capacities in the province. He was part of the Coffee Industry Development Council, a forestry instructor at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). In 2013, He was elected to the Barangay Council of Barangay Baslay. This position gave him the opportunity to work in numerous areas of the village’s affairs. It also enabled him to envision a socially and economically transformed Barangay Baslay.
BASLAY FARMERS ASSOCIATION
According to Ruel, the BFA was established in 1985 as a community based farmers’ organization in the forests of Baslay village in the Municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental. The village is situated in the foothills of Mount Talinis, a dormant volcano and one of the highest mountains in Negros Oriental.
Ruel disclosed that the organization was formed mainly to address the problem of slash and burn farming practices or “kaingin”, stemming from the local community’s poverty and illiteracy. Since then, nearly one hundred farmers, have become green guardians of the Baslay forests.
He assessed the local community’s available natural and renewable resources which could be sustainably used to generate income. Among them is a vast, fertile 120 hectare coffee forest. He was able to convince the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) that Baslay coffee could become a global commodity. From there, the BFA conducted a series of trainings on coffee harvesting and processing for farmers.
SWEET SUCCESS
In 2018, the cooperative established the Baslay Highland Brew Coffee house overlooking a stunning view of a coffee forest. Another project is the “Baslay Highland Viewing Tower” which the coop undertook with the help of architecture students from the Foundation University (FU).
Previous initiatives included advances in honey production and a banana project, among others. The BFA also has this “Ecotourism Operation” which offers visitors adventures like trekking, experiences in organic agriculture, bird watching and tasting of local products, including premium Baslay coffee.
As a result of their efforts, the BFA was recognized as the grand winner of the 2018 Lopez Achievement Award and the 2020 Grand Anvil Award.
Through the years, the BFA has transformed the formerly denuded forest into a sanctuary for endangered bird and wildlife species. The coop has managed to reforest more than 200 hectares and have tilled 120 hectares of naturally grown coffee.
Slash and burn farming has finally been eradicated by social and economic empowerment and by teaching locals that sustainable forest management is a common responsibility.
Through the power of volunteerism and partnerships, BFA managed to scale up operations and access applicable technology for sustainable mountain endeavours.
This BFA story was featured in the United Nations Development program and the Philippines Business for the Environment book.
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