After intensive community organizing that lasted for years, TULUNGAN registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 1990. Two years later, it acquired stewardship rights over 19 hectares of forest reservation in Sorsogon by virtue of a Certificate of Stewardship Agreement Agreement (CFSA) awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). TULUNGAN was the first recipient of such a contract in the entire Bicol Region.

The association started off with only seven members, thus could hardly finish work on their initial 19-hectare abaca plantation. Farmers from the neighboring barangays of Rizal, San Isidro, Panlayaan and Salvacion were recruited to be able to meet their target. Recruitment was not difficult since the association was fast gaining a respectable reputation and becoming popular in the area. Today, TULUNGAN has 107 active members whose ages range from as young as 15 and as old as 82.

Since its formation in 1989, the women members of TULUNGAN has continued to play key roles in all aspects that concern the organization. The women in the association have consistently dominated TULUNGAN’S set of officers. In its formative years, the women members led by its current President, 62-year old Trinidad Olavere, guided the rest of the group including the male members in their arduous trek to development. In the process, TULUNGAN has nurtured women power. TULUNGAN, which was at that early stage a fledgling organization, truly benefited from this nurturing.

These women found new meaning in their lives as they take on the dual roles of being housewives and community leaders at the same time. They take pride in individual as well as collective achievements not only in terms of being able to help their husbands earn a living but also in leading others towards a better life. These women confidently took on the challenge of dong a man’s job knowing that an upland farmer’s work is not easy. Climbing uphill for six kilometers just to reach their plantation carrying with them seedlings and farm implements as well is certainly not an easy task.

As early as 1993, when funding for their social forestry project ended, TULUNGAN members have already displayed their rare and remarkable bayanihan spirit by continuing to work in the 19-hectare abaca plantation they have established. For two consecutive years, the members worked long and hard under the grueling heat of the sun without getting income in return. The spirit of voluntarism remains high among members as evidenced by the almost perfect attendance in the weekly bayanihan or during days when they had to work without pay.

To date, one can see how their sacrifices and bayanihan paid off. They not only planted a 55.5-hectare of abaca plantation, they were also able to establish an more than 200 hectares of bamboo, timber, fruit, and coconut plantation. In addition to these plantations, it has also ventured into other income-generating projects through their Capital Build-Up Fund. With its investments, CBU, and other assests, TULUNGAN’s net worth is estimated at about P1.1M with no liability, making it one of the most successful organizations in the Bicol Region.

With its various projects, member-beneficiaries are able to upgrade their standard of living. Their average annual per capita income leaped to an impressive P7,842.00 in 1998 from the 1988 level of P3,389.00. The members’ purchasing power has significantly increased and the satisfaction of being able to give their children good education is increasingly felt.

TULUNGAN now works hand in hand with PNOC-EDC and DENR in protecting the vast forests of Azupre, Sorsogon. Among its many achievements is being credited for the eradication of illegal logging and kaingin activities in the area. The Association now looks back to their struggling years with pride. After hurdling the early challenges and threats to the viability of their association, the members have gained the confidence to continue what they have started and explore new opportunities. They now believe in their own capabilities to lead and make a difference in their community. The success of TULUNGAN ha inspired 14 other farmers associations organized by PNOC-EDC to closely follow its trails especially in nurturing women greenkeepers.