In the southernmost part of the Philippines, fallen trees are no longer considered a nuisance. Instead, they have become a source of pride and progress as the local government of Isabela City de Basilan launches an initiative that collects these trees and transforms them into wooden chairs for elementary schools.

The initiative aims to address two major issues in the community: the need for more chairs in public schools and the issue of waste management. Instead of letting fallen trees rot on the streets or burn them, the local government saw an opportunity to turn them into something useful for public schools.

The process starts with the collection of fallen trees from streets across the city with the help of the local community.  These trees fell down due to continuous rain and strong winds, as well as old age and a lack of strength to hold up against weather conditions. Rather than letting them become a nuisance by clogging streets or having them burned, the local government perceived an opportunity to repurpose them. The trees are then cut and processed in an eco-friendly area that minimizes wood waste. Next, they are transformed into child-sized chairs, painted in vibrant colors and distributed to public schools for elementary pupils.

The impact of this initiative goes beyond providing chairs to schools. It also promotes environmental awareness and sustainability in the community. The program encourages citizens to be more mindful of the environment and to see waste as a resource that can benefit the community.

This effort of the local government is a cost-effective solution since the chairs are made from locally sourced and repurposed materials. This means that the government can direct their budget towards other pressing needs in the community.

To date, 120 wooden chairs have been produced from 170 fallen trees collected by the City General Services Office (CGSO), which were distributed to five elementary schools in the city.

Through this initiative, Isabela City's local government is setting an example for other cities and municipalities in the country to follow. It shows that simple, local solutions can have a significant impact on communities and can tackle multiple issues at once.

This initiative has transformed fallen trees from being seen as a nuisance to becoming a valuable resource, not only providing much-needed chairs for public schools but also promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. With this initiative, Isabela City's local government has shown that small steps can lead to significant progress, and that every community has the power to make a positive impact. (KSA/RVC/NDR/PIA-Basilan)