August 7, 2025

ecoCarbon Capital of Singapore Charts Bold New Course for Project Caraga in the Philippines

In a decisive move to strengthen its investment in nature-based solutions (NbS) in the Caraga Region of Northeastern Mindanao, Singapore-based ecoCarbon Capital Pte Ltd officially assumed full control of Project Caraga in September 2024 from its original developer, ClearWind.

Project Caraga’s Forest Protection and Geospatial Intelligence Teams conduct ground-truthing activities in project areas across Surigao del Sur. Forest Rangers—trained and supported by the Project Operations Team and DENR—are members of Indigenous Peoples communities who lead forest monitoring and protection efforts.

This strategic transition has accelerated Project Caraga’s progress, enabling the successful rollout of key initiatives that reflect its deep commitment to empowering Indigenous communities through inclusive, sustainable development. Among the major milestones is the completion of technical and financial support for the enhancement of Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs) across 17 Indigenous Cultural Communities holding Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

 

This collaborative planning process, which took nearly a year to complete, has enabled Indigenous communities to clarify land use classifications, development priorities, and socio-economic needs—laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability and self-determination. 

Project Caraga collaborates with leading service organizations such as the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation to provide health care assistance—including eye screening and cataract operations—for members of partner Indigenous communities across the Caraga Region.

By late 2024, the project formalized partnerships with the first 10 CADT communities through the signing of Memoranda of Agreement. These agreements mark the beginning of on-the-ground implementation, including the recruitment and training of local community coordinators and forest rangers. To date, more than 100 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from partner communities have joined Project Caraga’s workforce, comprising 57.3% of its personnel.

 

Moving forward, key activities outlined in the ADSDPPs will be rolled out, including:

  • Enhanced capacity-building for forest monitoring and protection
  • Strengthening of Indigenous governance systems
  • Biodiversity conservation efforts
  • Inclusive engagement of women and youth
  • Preservation and enrichment of Indigenous Knowledge, Systems, and Practices (IKSP)

 

Over the next 25 years—renewable for another 25—Project Caraga aims to conserve and restore 200,000 hectares of ancestral forestlands, directly benefiting more than 94,000 Indigenous Peoples across 10 CADT areas, with plans to include 7 more in the coming years.


January 7, 2026
The Biodiversity Team held its Year-End Reporting and Sharing of Outcomes in CADT 210 and CADT 239, in Surigao del Sur bringing together community leaders and partners to review insights from the 4th quarter biodiversity monitoring and discuss next steps for conservation for 2026.
January 7, 2026
The Project Caraga Scholarship Program officially launched on December 17 at the Caraga State University HERO Learning Commons Board Room with the signing of contracts for its first Indigenous Peoples scholars.
January 7, 2026
Congratulations to Jeme-An Bustillo and Joshua Mandahinog of CADT 252 for their remarkable win in this year’s Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) held on December 4 at the Grand Palace Hotel, Butuan City. At the YFC 2025 Awarding Ceremony on December 15 at the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City, winners were recognized and they received their cheques for their proposed projects. Among them, the coffee and cacao nursery initiative of our IP youth, Higa-Binhi, earned ₱80,000 in funding from the Department of Agriculture, support that will help them bring their vision to life.
January 7, 2026
Project Caraga, represented by ecoCarbon Group Chief Markets Officer Sophia Ong and CCDI Deputy Chief Executive Officer Anselmo Cabrera, joined the Consultative Briefing on the Blueprint for the Philippine Carbon Market Policy Framework on December 9, 2025 at the Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong City.
January 7, 2026
Day 3 of the Caraga Coffee Festival at SM Butuan City, last December 5, 2025, wrapped up the vibrant three-day celebration of Caraga’s coffee industry with a culmination program that brought together growers, local cafe owners, and partners committed to elevating our local coffee produce.
January 7, 2026
Project Caraga attended the 4th Quarter High Value Crops Sectoral Committee Meeting hosted by the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council at VCDU Prince Hotel, Imadejas, Butuan City on December 4, represented by Caraga Carbon Development, Inc. (CCDI) Chief Markets Officer Rowil Aguillon.
January 7, 2026
Our partner IP farmers from across Caraga joined the opening of the 2025 Caraga Coffee Festival yesterday at the Event Center of SM City Butuan, a celebration of Caraga’s finest Robusta, that will continue until December 5. For many of them, this gathering is more than an event, but a doorway to new opportunities. Here, they meet potential buyers, connect with local coffee shop owners from Butuan, and learn alongside fellow farmers supported by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA). 
January 7, 2026
Project Caraga held an exploratory meeting with Sunfood Marketing Inc. (SMI) on December 10, 2025, in Ko’on, Rosario, Agusan del Sur, opening discussions on how both groups can work together to better serve partner Indigenous communities in Caraga Region.
December 4, 2025
Project Caraga proudly joined global changemakers last November 17 as our Social Impact Lead, Dr. Anushka Rege, represented both the project and ecoCarbon at AlterCOP 30 in Singapore. 
December 4, 2025
Project Caraga CMO Rowil Aguillon along with our Security Officer Lou Ballescas, and Safety Officer Jhun Aldrin Carias, conducted a series of courtesy visits to key Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units across Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. The visits included the 402nd Brigade in Bancasi, the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Buenavista, the 901st Infantry Brigade in Placer, the 30th Infantry Battalion in Gigaquit, and the 36th and 75th Infantry Battalions in Carmen and Brgy. Magruyong, respectively.
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