Dolefil Chairs for Trees Program

POLOMOLOK, SOUTH COTABATO - The Chairs for Trees Program is a part of Community Development Reciprocating Action Project of Dolefil, it started in the year 2003 in the partnership  between the company, the cooperative and the community itself. It utilizes the process of reciprocation, designed to protect the environment and sustain the available resources for future requirement of chairs in the community.

The chairs are manufactured by Unified Engineering and Manpower Services Multi-Purpose Cooperative from the company's wooden pallets, which are turned over by the company. Dolefil pays the cooperative 270.00PHP per chair fabricated. With the help of the Mahintana Foundaiton Inc., these chairs are evenly distributed to their beneficiaries, who are obliged - as a reciprocating action - to plant and grow one tree for every 10.00PHP worth of company assistance.

Dolefil also continues to use wooden pallets in its operation, and recycling these into useful school chairs in a relatively cheap production cost reinforces Dolefil's internal solid waste management scheme.

Dolefil, through Mahintana Foundation Inc., also regularly visit the planted trees; hence, the beneficiary may no longer request for additional chairs unless replanting is done to replace lost number of hills. As of this date, Dolefil's CSR Program released for about 1.4 million chairs and tables to it's beneficiaries which are the public schools and churches around the South Cotabato Province.

Of course, we cannot plant trees if there are no hills (other term for seedlings) coming from Mt. Matutum Federation of Marginal Farmers Association (MMFMFA), a cooperative which provides hills in different varieties of hills such as native guava, hagimit, jackfruit, yellow acacia, ilang-ilang, golden shower, balete, narra, avocado, bamboo and Norfolk pine trees. Though Norfolk pine trees are exclusively for Kalsangi Village purposes only. The cooperative are paid 1.75PHP for each hill and with this Dolefil helps the cooperative as well as the community.

 Furthermore, this project provides a sustainable source of income for the cooperative that manufactures the chairs and sells the seedlings for reforestation. This present a long-term benefit to the members of the cooperatives and their families who now have a steady income to meet their day-to-day needs.

Since 2003, Dolefil's Chairs-for-trees has served as a versatile and vital community development program that provides holistic progress in Dolefil's social landscape.

Thanks to Dolefil for aiding the community and for supporting South Cotabato Province as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Thanks to the following persons who made this Dolefil CSR Tour a successful one:

• Gwyn Ann Marie Ebol - Dolefil Communications Superintendent
• Mel Hernandez - Dolefil Human Resource Manager
• Kinmark Deypalan - UEMSMPC Representative

Thanks also to my SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers family for inviting me to come to the Dolefil CSR Tour.

Photos by Rs Dee