CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Bayawon Lucday Lungayan Pendonay Tribal Association (BLLUPENTTRAS), Inc. and Manggayahay Talaandig Tribal Association (MANTALA), Inc. won the project grants worth P100,000 under the Forest Impact Accelerator pitching competition of the Forest Fest 2024 held in Ayala Centrio Mall, this city, on April 20.

Through funding from the Forest Foundation Philippines and The Spark Project, the pitching and accelerator program supported local social entrepreneurs with innovative projects toward protecting forests and empowering forest communities,

“Tungod kay nakadawat mi sa grant, maningkamot gyud mi nga paspas ang paglambo sa among proyekto kay dako gyud kaayo ni og ikatabang nga mas dali pagpalambo sa among organisasyon… para sa dugang panginabuhian og proteksyon sa atong kinaiyahan (Since we received the grant, we will work hard to advance the development of our project because it will really help us further develop our organization... for more livelihood and further protection of our environment)," said Bae Lucy Lucday of the BLLUPENTTRAS, Inc. in Valencia, Bukidnon.

BLLUPENTTRAS, Inc. and MANTALA, Inc. were among the five winning organizations set to undergo a two-month accelerator program with financial grants and relevant guidance from partners and experts from May to June this year.

“Kinahanglan magkahiusa, magtinabangay, og maghigugmaay para sa kalamboan sa tanan (We must unite, work together, and love each other for the development of all)," said Ara S. Ecat who also presented MANTALA’s plant nursery project, also in Valencia, Bukidnon.

Forest Fest 2024 has been a platform to encourage social entrepreneurs to innovate solutions for forest protection, particularly through nature-based enterprises. It was co-presented by Ayala Malls Centrio, the Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ), Talarak Foundation Inc., and the Xavier Science Foundation. 

This year's celebration marked its second grand edition since 2017. (Xavier Science Foundation Inc.)