During the 1990's under the Ramos administration, the fortunes of the indigenous people took a turn for the better. President Ramos immediately made further logging illegal and even canceled those concessions that had already been given. With passage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act 1997 the Blaan and Tagakaulo tribes for the first time retained official title to their land. Together they were given 74,000 hectares (165,760 acres) on the Torrens Title System. And other tribal peoples retained titles to the vast majority of the entire Sarangani forest area.

This was an unprecedented milestone for these peoples, but left them with a largely denuded and eroded landscape. Since that time, they have worked to replant forest, and establish agricultural systems for themselves that do not harm their land even more, but often they are forced through the hardships of the land to farm on very steep slopes and to resort to production of charcoal as a means of generating an income. Both of these practices have led to further degradation.

Project mission:-
1. To initially plant 5 million trees in the Sarangani province, completely reforesting an area of 3000 hectares and restoring the indigenous ecosystems. Ultimately this project can cover over 100,000 hectares of the Sarangani forest. 
2. To work with the local tribes and the cooperating organizations to increase the health, education, income and overall well-being of the local communities in the following ways (amongst others):

How? 
Regenerating a natural forest (Philippine Mahogany, Apitong, Lauan, Molave Narrra, Dao, and other indigenous species etc.) is usually done through seeds and wildlings, along with the knowledge of the local people. The forest is planted with a select number of starting species which encourage the return of birds, animals, insects and provide the ecosystems services which set the stage for the natural regeneration of a truly diverse and healthy forest. A forest planted in this way can start with 30 varieties and see over 150 varieties of trees growing in less than 10 years. Our focus is not on the success of the trees themselves, but on the forest in general.

We will also be working with the local people to establish areas of agroforestry, mixed orchards, perennial food systems and annual gardens. To meet all of our objectives and have long term success, these are of critical importance.