Our Communities

Lionheart in South Palawan

Our Collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples Community

Lionheart Farms initiated a dialogue with the tribal communities of Barangays Ransang, Candawaga, and Culasian in the Municipality of Rizal, Palawan in 2015. This dialogue culminated in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that outlines a unique partnership that allows the community to contribute their land for the cultivation of organic coconuts. In return, Lionheart rents their land and prioritizes employment opportunities for the host families. This cooperative effort is aimed at establishing a sustainable farming community that can uplift generations to come.

Together, we've developed a diverse array of community programs with a strong emphasis on skills enhancement, education, health, and fostering a profound understanding of Sustainable Development and organic farming practices.

Our partnership is founded on principles of mutual respect and dialogue, aligning with the rich traditions of the Palawan Indigenous Peoples. Lionheart mandates that all of its leaders acquaint themselves with the customary law, known as the Adat, and the traditional commitment to dialogue, known as the Bizarra. The traditions of the Palaw’an tribe have profoundly influenced our approach to work and community-building.

Our Partner Farms

Beginning in late 2018, Lionheart extended the invitation to local coconut farmers to adopt our sustainable organic farming practices. Today, we've established partnerships with hundreds of farms in 14 Barangays across the Municipalities of Rizal, Quezon, Brooke’s Point, and Bataraza. These farms are now managed in alignment with the same sustainable organic farming principles as our own. Our unwavering commitment is to facilitate the responsible development of our host community as a whole.

Our Suppliers

Our commitment to Natural Farming entails a focus on utilizing natural, locally-sourced ingredients to supply the essential macro nutrients required for our coconut palms while promoting robust soil health. This approach not only enhances crop yield and safeguards the environment but also fosters biodiversity. Instead of relying on imports, we collaborate closely with the local community to procure almost all necessary ingredients.

Today, our extensive network of suppliers has evolved into a thriving community of its own. Our emphasis lies in ensuring that everyone comprehends our needs and can reap the benefits of working in tandem with us. This community engagement extends to even the smallest suppliers, providing an additional source of income and involvement for numerous families.

Engagement with Local Authorities

Lionheart Farms is dedicated to proactive collaboration with local authorities. We respond to the broader needs of the community and work in partnership with the government on various initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and ensuring compliance.

Tree planting activity in collaboration with partner stakeholders

GO NEGOSYO - KALAP X LIONHEART FARMS

Farm & Community Meeting

Our Sustainable Coconut Farming Practices

Our approach to coconut farming prioritizes biodiversity and sustainability. At Lionheart Farms, we've meticulously integrated our coconut palms into the natural landscape. Our philosophy is firmly rooted in maintaining connected biodiversity, ensuring that we don't create isolated pockets or disrupt vital wildlife corridors and natural forests.

Our practices align closely with the guidelines set forth in our Agriculture and Forestry Development Plan (AFDP), a comprehensive plan developed in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Furthermore, our partnership with the local community is governed by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), overseen by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). This MOA is a testament to our commitment to preserving the environment and respecting indigenous cultures, ensuring a harmonious relationship with the land that spans generations.

Lionheart Farms stands by the guiding principle of "Do No Harm," a commitment to sustainable farming that benefits both the environment and the local community. The coconut palms, our prized crop, yield generous harvests while demanding minimal land, water, and nutrient inputs. This efficient use of resources results in a remarkably high employment ratio per hectare, directly enhancing the well-being of the host community and contributing to global food supplies.

Our Farm Divided into Six Distinct Sections

To further localize our impact and bolster community engagement, Lionheart Farms is thoughtfully divided into six smaller farms. These farms are strategically distributed across three barangays in Rizal, Palawan. Each farm operates in close partnership with its respective local community, offering localized employment opportunities. This approach, especially beneficial for the Indigenous Peoples, enables them to work on their ancestral land while safeguarding the natural environment that has been an integral part of their culture for millennia, preserving it for future generations.