Residents of Aurora Province are looking forward to a balanced ecology as a result of a joint venture agreement being worked out between Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Sa Lungsod at Nayon (UMALUN) of Dingalan and Mapecon Green Charcoal Philippines, Inc. through the initiative of the special concern office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The joint venture will pave the way for the production of green charcoal fuel sourced from forest waste and Vermicast organic fertilizer from lake mud, banana peelings, banana pulp, cassava and worm waste. This is in consonance with the environmental plan prepared by Mapecon.

Under the agreement, the DENR will give Land Ownership Agreement Certificate to members of UMALUN which will entitle them to about three hectares each. Many of these farmers of makers of charcoal from cut trees. They deliver about 20 truck loads of charcoal a week to Metro Manila.

With the farmers-Mapecon joint venture, Aurora authorities believe this will stop to a large extent of trees for fuel knowing there is money in forest wastes, thus help avoid forest denudation. The joint venture according to Gonzalo Catan Jr., Mapecon executive vice president, will provide alternative livelihood to farmers and will put an end to wanton tree cutting for charcoal making, a job, they admit, is hazardous to health since the process affects their lungs.