eco-KALAN | Introducing the eco-KALANS in the Philippines

The eco-KALAN was developed by Ms. Rebecca Arrieta Vermeer, a Filipino Canadian, at her Felipa Beach residence in Mangnao, Dumaguete City â€“ her hometown in the Province of Negros Oriental.

On June 7, 2006, the eco-KALAN was introduced in Dumaguete City. Among the attendees during the celebration and media release at Felipa Beach were the environmentalist Vice-Mayor of Dumaguete City, Hon. William E. Ablong and the Vice-Governor of Negros Oriental, Hon. Jose A. Baldado.

On June 15-16, 2006, the eco-KALAN was exhibited at the 18th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Dumaguete City. The eco-KALAN is presently registered with the Bureau of Patents, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.Â The REGISTRATION grants Rebecca Arrieta Vermeer the exclusive right throughout the Philippines to make, use, sell or import the eco-KALAN.

"eco-kalan" is a registered trademark of Rebecca Arrieta Vermeer. Unauthorized use of the mark is trademark infringement. Any production or sale of unauthorized products is a violation of the Intellectual Property Code and unfair competition laws, among others. Such violations are subject to liability for damages, injunctive relief, attorney's fees and other penalties, civil and criminal. For more information regarding the use of the eco-kalan trademark for commercial purposes, or to report possible violations, call the (63-35) 225-9517 or (63-35) 422-5878.

On September 30, 2006, the community of Gawad Kalinga in Barangay Banilad, Dumaguete City was the first to receive a donation of eco-KALANS. Since then, many communities including Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, squatters, and other non-profit housing projects have been "eco-kalanized" through sponsorships by individuals and charitable organizations in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Philippines.

Since its initial introduction to a community, the eco-KALAN has undergone several changes in size and form in response to user needs and comments. Since December 2007, we have produced standard (family) size eco-KALANS with 80% fuel savings compared to the traditional kalan or with open-fire cooking using 3 stones or an iron stand. Since December 2009, we have produced the larger eco-KALAN-C for commercial (carenderias, restaurants, home-cooked food businesses) and institutional ( schools, prisons, orphanages, military and work camps) uses and for fiestas and large gatherings.

On August 15, 2008, the Cambonbon Elementary School in Siaton, became the first school to use the eco-KALAN. By March 27, 2009 the teachers and pupils in 24 pre-schools, primary and elementary schools in the Siaton West District were given and trained in the set-up and use of the standard eco-KALAN. By May 2010, the standard eco-KALAN, eco-KALAN-C and eco-Magic Box had been introduced to 50 schools and in the schoolsâ€™ Lunch Feeding Program in the town of Sta. Catalina, Zamboanguita, Sibulan, Mabinay, Ayungon, Tayasan, Canla-on and Dumaguete City, with the support of Parents Teachers Associations, Barangay Officials, Negros Oriental Division of the Department of Education and the 302nd Infantry (Achiever) Brigade of the Philippine Army based at Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

On May 25, 2010, the Sustainable Tree Farming for Firewood (STFF) Program of the Eco-KALAN Project began with the Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) Seed Gathering in Caigangan, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. Thereafter, the planting of fast growing Ipil-Ipil seeds, seedlings and branches became an integral part of every eco-KALAN presentations to schools and communities for sustainable supply of firewood for personal use and source of income.

On February 24, 2011, the eco-KALAN was introduced to all 44 Philippine Army Detachments of the 302nd Infantry (Achiever) Brigade in Negros Oriental. Since then, eco-KALANs are also presented to members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographic Units (CAFGU) in communities where eco-KALAN presentations are held.

On March 31, 2011 and April 8, 2011, the large eco-KALAN-C, eco-Magic Box and standard, family size eco-KALANs were introduced to the Dumaguete City District Jail and the Negros Oriental Provincial Jail kitchens, kitchen staff and selected inmates. These two presentations mark the beginning of the use of eco-KALAN-C and the eco-Magic Box in the preparation of meals (rice, beans, tough cuts of meat, etc) in the prisons of Negros Oriental.

For complete photos, visit http://picasaweb.google.com/eco.kalan. For videos of all the eco-KALAN presentations, visit the PHOTOS and YOUTUBE VIDEOS of this website.