Global Music Icon, Local Impact: Apl.de.Ap Foundation backs agri-development in Alcala, Cagayan; coconut farmers to benefit

Alcala, Cagayan – Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.Ap, known worldwide as a member of the Grammy-winning group Black Eyed Peas, has returned to the Philippines not only for music but also to support local farmers and environmental initiatives.

Through his Apl.de.Ap Foundation International (APLFI), Apl.de.Ap — whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo — continues to champion programs that benefit under-served communities. He founded the non-profit organization in 2011 to empower disadvantaged youth in the Philippines, supporting projects such as classroom construction.

Beyond education, the foundation also backs agricultural development and environmental protection efforts across the country.

Recently, APLFI, led by Apl.de.Ap, together with Omtse Ventures, visited Alcala, Cagayan, to identify areas for a coconut planting project scheduled to launch this year. During the visit, the group inspected potential sites where farmers could grow coconut trees alongside other crops under an agroforestry system.

According to the Cagayan Public Information Office, the project forms part of the groups’ “100 Million Coconut Trees for the Climate” campaign, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The initiative aims to revitalize the local coconut industry, introduce agroforestry systems that allow farmers to cultivate crops under tree cover, improve livelihoods by providing additional income sources, contribute to reforestation, and capture carbon to help combat climate change.

In a social media post, Mayor Cristina Antonio said the project could strengthen Alcala’s “Green Wall” initiative and potentially qualify the town for carbon credit programs, providing long-term ecological and economic benefits.

“Partnering with Apl.de.Ap and Dan, Uynghiem, Gero, and Mia of Omtse Ventures to integrate the Green Wall of Alcala into a carbon credits program to ensure sustainability, livelihood, and stakeholdership for our farmers. Thank you for the fruitful visit and discussion! Looking forward to the next steps!” the mayor wrote.

In a Facebook statement, Apl.de.Ap expressed excitement about the project’s potential impact on local farmers, whom he described as “frontline defenders.”

“Excited to expand on Alcala’s watershed efforts and their understanding of the need for farmers to live off the land and act as frontline defenders on a climate-shifting planet. Celebrated the Lunar New Year by visiting the Callao Caves and a town devastated by recent typhoons in need of mangroves. ’Til next time,” he wrote.