The Cordillera Green Network, Inc. (CGN) is an environmental Non-Government Organization (NGO) based in Baguio City, Philippines.
Since 2001, CGN has been working with the indigenous people in the Cordillera Administrative Region to transform their communities into models of sustainable resource management.
CGN helps preserve the environment as well as helping improve the lives of people.
Photo by Meeko Koike
The word "Cordillera" in the organization's name refers to the mountain ranges in the northern part of Luzon island. Various indigenous people live in the Cordillera Region, most of which live at high altitudes of nearly 2,000 meters. Its rugged terrain makes this area one of the least developed in the Philippines. But the people in the Cordillera preserved their unique culture with rituals honoring nature spirits.
However, in recent decades, a wave of the global economy has pushed people to modify some of their traditional ways. It resulted in environmental degradation brought about by deforestation and mismanagement of the forests. Indigenous people's lifestyle is gradually changing. CGN addresses these problems to preserve and protect the environment while providing alternative livelihoods for the people.
Wildfires often occur during summer
Abandoned mining areas poses high risk disasters
CGN`s Objectives
- to promote a clean and green environment
- to promote sustainable farming
- to create income-generating activities to alleviate the economic condition of the Indigenous people
- to help mold future leaders for the preservation of mother earth
- to help preserve the cultural tradition of the Cordillera people
- to help install renewable energy systems (biogas, micro hydropower plant, etc.)
- to promote local and international linkages
CGN History
CGN was established in September 2001 to help address the pervading environmental and socioeconomic problems in the Cordillera region. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock, non-profit, and non-government organization (NGO) and is based in Baguio City.
CGN was founded by Mariko Sorimachi, a Japanese resident of Baguio City and a group of indigenous people passionate about environmental conservation.
CGN has been engaging in community-based environmental friendly development and education for more than two decades. Its advocacies are realized and sustained primarily through linkages, partnerships, and fund grants and donations from generous individuals and organizations.
As of 2023, Bruno Taiyang, a forester, was appointed president. The vice president is John Tacloy, a professor of Forestry at Benguet State University (BSU). The staffs consist mainly of indigenous foresters and other professionals. CGN is collaborated by environmental educators, academic researchers, freelance artists, writers, and environmental activists.
CGN`s Activities
- Afforestation & Agroforestry (Forest Farming)
- Improving the quality of coffee
- Environmental Education Workshop
- Environmental and International Exchange Events
- Sustainable Agriculture & Appropriate Energy
- Green Scholarship Program
- Support for Disaster Recovery
- Production and Publication of Environmental Education Materials
- Fairtrade
How to Support CGN?
Donation
Please donate to make a financial and/or material support for the environmental initiatives of CGN.
<Bank Account of Cordillera Green Network Inc>
Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI)
Baguio Session Branch
Saving Account
Account number: 0573-2638-98
Account Name: Cordillera Green Network Inc.
<Donate with Pay Pal>
Buy Our Coffee
CGN has been promoting agroforestry Arabica coffee production in the Cordillera as a part of its reforestation project. CGN also conducts seminars/workshops on old coffee tree maintenance and post-harvest processing to improve the quality of coffee produced in the region. By purchasing our coffee, you also support the coffee farmers and all our partner communities in improving their livelihood and ecological sustainability.
If you are interested in purchasing the wholesale green beans or roasted coffee beans please contact Kapi Tako Social Enterprise, our partner social entrepreneur.
kapitako.cordi@gmail.com
Pop Up Shop at NGO Bazaar in Manila Japanese School(2019)
Exported Cordillera coffee beans are roasted and served at Unknown Coffee truck in Japan
Be a volunteer/intern for CGN
Be a volunteer/intern and share your skills and knowledge in developing and implementing our programs/projects. We accept short-term and long-term volunteers/interns throughout the year.
Volunteers from the Collage of Forestry, Benguet State University (2019)
Join our study tours & workshops
We organize various types of exposure programs such as tree planting tours, coffee harvesting tours, visits to organic farms, environmental education/art workshops etc. This is a great way to learn about environmental issues and experience the rich culture and nature in the Cordillera. We can also organize tours or workshops for groups and individuals based on your interests and schedule. Keep yourself updated with the latest tour/workshop information through our Facebook page.
Coffee Harvest Tour in the community with interns and volunteers (2018)