After the damaging flash floods in June of 2011 were thousands of residents surrounding the stretch of Matina Pangi River were affected, ABS-CBN Davao organized the 1^st Kapamilya Run 11-11-11.   Proceeds from the registration of the run went to the Bantay Bata 163 Mindanao and for the rehabilitation of the Matina Pangi River Rehabilitation Project.

In consultation with the officials of Barangay Matina Pangi and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, it was recommended that the reforestation of areas along the river banks of the Matina Pangi River would have far more impact of preventing future flooding and soil erosion in the river banks. Thus the Barangay Matina Pangi Kapamilya Tree Nursery Project was launched last April 2012. The Nursery would initially prepare 10,000 seedlings of “Malubago”, Mahogany and Narra tree species. The “Malubago” specie is known to thrive in river banks with its fast growing roots ideal for preventing soil erosion.

On August 8, 2012, the 24^th Anniversary of ABS-CBN Davao, residents of Barangay Matina Pangi, City ENRO officials, hundreds of volunteers…from individuals and from different organizations, and the men and women of ABS-CBN Davao joined together in realizing the next phase of this project by planting these 10,000 seedlings along the banks of the Matina Pangi River.  Dubbed as the “Kapamilya Punuan Movement”, this activity will go beyond the planting of the seedlings up to nurturing and sustaining these young trees until they are full grown and has served its purpose.  In the near future, these areas will be collectively called the “Kapamilya Tree Park”.

Some participants ran from the station to the planting site, others walked, while a 6 x 6 army truck transported our Philippine Army volunteers from neighbouring Davao del Norte Province.  Walk, run, ride... they came to make a difference.

On-cam and off-cam talents all pitched in to carry the seedlings, make holes in the ground for the seedlings to be planted in and planted the seedlings all in high spirits and with much laughter.

Last November 18, 2012, additional 2,000 seedlings of Durian and Rambutan were planted by residents of Matina Pangi (4Ps), students of Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School and the ABS-CBN Davao men and women along the Matina Pangi river banks.  When harvest time comes, residents and the “planters” can partake of the fruits on an eat all you can basis as long as they won’t bring out the fruits.

The rubber trees on the upper side of the Matina Pangi area will be ripe for tapping in the next seven years and thus provide livelihood for the residents.

This year, the 2^nd Kapamilya Run 12-02-12 Davao will continue to give part of its proceeds in support of the Kapamilya Punuan Movement.

The Kapamilya Punuan Movement has now become a realization of the Kapamilyang Dabawenyo’s hope of a greener, healthier, safer and more environment-friendly Davao. 

(Ad Roel Alcober/Ida Nanette Damo-Choosephils-Mindanao)