For the past 25 years, NORDSON GREEN EARTH FOUNDATION, INC. (NGEF) has nurtured, expanded and protected its 60-hectare Nordson Forest Park in Victorias City making it one of few highly successful private afforestation initiatives. The foundation has also taken on causes against solid waste, air and water pollution, and provided support to allied campaigners for responsible ecological stewardship to benefit future generations of Filipinos.
With the collaboration of the City, the Don Bosco Technical Institute, the Negros Occidental Science High School, the Victorias Milling Company, and the Nordson Forest Park, Atty. Diploma is convinced that it should be possible to develop a center of technology that becomes a leader in environmental science, sustainable development and climate change. Through reforestation, moreover, there is the potential for diversifying the economic base, generating sustainable value-added, and supporting such things as development of PAG-IBIG funds for residential housing in the community.
In partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK), a model community has been built to provide quality housing for local villagers. This, too, was somewhat experimental, with more spacious houses than the ‘standard’ GK design being created to instill a sense of pride within the community. Additional housing is planned, to create a balanced and caring community, including middle income groups, teachers at the Science High School, and seniors.
