Paete carvers tackle batikuling challenge

The small town of Paete in Laguna is known as the country’s “Carving Capital.” It is home to master artisans whose wooden sculptures have graced churches, homes and galleries worldwide.

Yet, behind this vibrant tradition, Paete’s long-standing artistry is faced with the pressing challenges of climate change, particularly dwindling wood resources and persistent flooding. However, the community is carving a new narrative — one of sustainability, adaptation and hope.

For generations, Paete’s artisans have relied on batikuling (Litsea leytensis), a soft and durable wood ideal for detailed carving. However, with the classification of the tree as endangered, its cutting in the forest has been banned.

The logging ban has left Paete artisans struggling to source wood. Many have turned to alternatives like santol and marang, but their properties fall short of the quality offered by batikuling. The scarcity has also led to rising costs, making the craft less sustainable.

In response, communities have planted batikuling trees on private lands to secure future supplies. They have also initiated partnerships with state universities to propagate batikuling through cloning technology.

However, sustaining these efforts remains a challenge, as the propagation of endangered trees requires decades of commitment.

Paete is also no stranger to typhoons, landslides, and flooding that continue to threaten livelihoods and its artisanal heritage. The devastating monsoon of 2011, which claimed 50 lives, highlighted the urgency for robust climate adaptation measures.

Thankfully, Paete has aligned itself with the national climate resilience initiatives. The municipality has submitted its Local Climate Change Action Plan to the Climate Change Commission (CCC), gaining access to technical and financial support mechanisms such as the People’s Survival Fund. This funding is crucial for projects in agriculture, water resource management and disaster risk reduction.

Under the leadership of Mayor Ronald “Bokwet” Cosico, Paete is intensifying its climate initiatives. Reforestation programs, renewable energy investments, and sustainable agriculture projects are among the town’s key strategies. These efforts earned the town the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance in 2019.

The CCC has also stepped in to bolster Paete’s climate resilience. Through partnerships with institutions like the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute, Paete is updating vital plans such as its comprehensive development plan, drainage master plan and public service continuity plan. These collaborative efforts aim to enhance Paete’s adaptive capacity and safeguard its cultural and natural assets.

In August 2023, the CCC launched the Net Zero Challenge (NZC) at the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed. This initiative seeks to offset carbon emissions through tree-growing activities, nature-based solutions and community engagement. Paete’s participation represents its resolve to align local actions with global climate goals.

“It is important that we find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Planting and growing trees is the easiest, most effective, and impactful method to achieve this,” said CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje during the 2023 NZC.

Cosico also expressed gratitude for the selection of Paete as the site for the reforestation project.

“We can no longer ignore climate change; it is already here. Paete is fortunate to have been selected as the launch site for the Net Zero Challenge of the Climate Change Commission,” Cosico remarked during the same event.

For this year’s Climate Change Consciousness Week 2024, Paete joined stakeholders in planting more seedlings to expand forest cover and strengthen carbon sinks. This activity is another significant stride in the town’s goal of a climate-smart and sustainable community that embraces both its cultural heritage and ecological responsibilities.

The path to a net-zero future is not without challenges, but Paete’s story showcases the power of local action in addressing global challenges. Through intergenerational commitment, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and deep respect for its heritage, Paete is sculpting a future where tradition and resilience coexist — a sustainable tomorrow for generations to come.