"Over 24 hours, every kilometer counts… But then what about doing it over Cordillera Kilometers???" Roughly this would constitute the short discussion that lead to the crazy idea of riding non-stop on mountain bikes over rough Cordillera back roads. "How far can we go in the span of 24 hours simply by pedaling our way through bumpy, muddy, rocky roads of the Cordillera Central." Cordillera Kilometers: In the mountains it is not only the terrain that will define your ride –yes there is mud and big rocks but there are also winding roads, endless climbs, long rocky downhill's, and every meter that you go up is a little less Oxygen available to feed your lungs. That is what constitutes Cordillera Kilometers.
The Cordillera region of the Philippines is acknowledged as one of Northern Luzon’s major watersheds. The headwaters of many of Luzon’s major river systems originate in these mountains and serve as irrigation for the plains that surround the Cordillera Mountain range; Chico River, Agno River, Abra River, Siffu River, Amburayan-Naguilian-Aringgay River System, Ahin River, Abulog-Apayao River system. Taken together they have a total drainage area of 5,447,500 hectares, supplying most of the irrigation needs of Northern Luzon. These facts alone underscore the importance of the Cordillera mountain ecosystem in providing ecosystem services to a large portion of Northern Luzon.
This is only a small fraction of the importance of the Cordillera Mountain Ecosystem, other factors such as biodiversity, energy production; mineral production as well as ecological maintenance functions such as; stream flow, nutrient cycling, soil stability, habitat, among others. For the local populations living within these mountains the environment is of great importance as in most areas in the region the communities depend directly on the environment for their livelihoods the degradation of the environment means the degradation of their livelihoods.
This year's Padyak para sa Binhi focuses on building new forests and the funds from the this year's pledges will go to rebuilding these forests in the now denuded areas of the mountains. We have already started in Taba-ao, Kapangan. With your help we will be able to rebuild more forests for the Cordillera.
FOREST BUILDERS Last year typhoon Pepeng devastated the Cordillera mountains –you could not go a hundred meters without encountering a road block or a landslide. In little Kibungan a small hamlet of houses was buried... more
The Cordillera Conservation Trust's Padyak para sa Binhi ng Kordi project tree planting of 10000 mixed species of seedlings in Taba-ao, Kapangan, Benguet in August 2009
Congratulations Ken Daweg and the whole PADYAKPARASABINHI team. Keep on going guys cause history awaits you. Our prayers and support. - dale & the cordilleran diamond drillers around the world
Hi! Great job guys. I'm Bong Esguerra from Globe's Corporate Social Responsibility. Maybe we can work on something for 2010? let me know! fcesguerra@globetel.com.ph
Yes sir, yung buong route ng Padyak para sa Binhi 2009 ay maraming landslides dahil sa Benguet po kami. We had to postpone this year's Bike for Seedlings ride due to the disaster, we will continue with the 24 hour ride, most likely in January 2010.
Hi JP. Is it possible for me to be able to join your team for the Padyak para sa Binhi ng Kordi this coming November 14 and 15? Please do let me know of the possibility so that I can prepare. Thanks.
FOREST BUILDERS Last year typhoon Pepeng devastated the Cordillera mountains –you could not go a hundred meters without encountering a road block or a landslide. In little Kibungan a small hamlet of houses was buried... more
