Nenen Cervantes, 29 years old, a member of the Mandaya Tribe, embodies strength, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her duty as the only female Forest guard in Davao Oriental. Juggling the responsibilities of safeguarding the forests, nurturing her family, and taking on demanding field tasks has become second nature to her, as nothing comes before her call of duty.
Recently, Nenen is one of over 100 Forest guards trained and capacitated in Davao Oriental. Nenen stands tall as the sole woman who has embraced the challenge of becoming a guardian of the remaining forested areas in the province.
Nenen resides in the remote Sitio Magubahong, Brgy. Abejod, within the ancestral domain and forested area. From a young age, her father instilled in her the significance of caring for the land and its resources. This upbringing fostered her deep appreciation for Forest protection, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a career as a Forest guard.
One of the driving forces behind Nenen’s d