Over 2,500 native and fruit trees were planted by the joint efforts of Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), members from the academe, and organizations during a simultaneous tree-planting activity in Sitio Pulakpulakan, Brgy. San Fernando and Brgy. Katilingban, in Talisay City, June 16.
“Today is very special for us at NWTF as we once again reaffirm our commitment to ensuring sustainable communities by taking action and planting trees to show our care and concern for the environment. It is doubly special as we are doing this on the occasion of our Executive Director, Ms. Suzzete Gaston’s birthday, and together with partners, allies, and other organizations who have joined us. We certainly look forward to more collaborations with them,” NWTF director for Administration and Strategic Projects Raymond Serios said during the event.
NWTF was joined by the Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas (TUPV), Bacolod City National High School (BCNHS), Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod (CSA-B), SM City Bacolod, Makati Development Corporation, Talisay Youth Organization (Tayo), Volunteers from Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI), along with members of the local community in the tree planting activity.
Meanwhile, representatives from Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Office, Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), Talisay Bantay Bukid, and Citizen Crime Watch-Talisay Chapter joined the NWTF representatives in the tree planting in Sitio Pulakpulakan, San Fernando, Talisay.
NWTF is grateful for the support the provincial government of Negros Occidental has given through the Provincial Administrator Office and PEMO, as well as the Talisay City government for supporting the activity.
About 289 participants joined the activity in both locations, 185 of whom were NWTF partners from the academe, private sectors, local government, and community members.
Forester Diana Samson expressed that working together with multi-sectors is a great catalyst for change. It has led people to become more aware of the situation of our environment and the effects of climate change.
“Our forest covers here in Negros have declined greatly, so we really need to take action such as these tree planting activities, and carefully study which species are suitable to what type of lands or area. These efforts not only help in protecting our environment but also in restoring the denuded lands which help the local community and the future generations as well,” Samson added.
The tree planting initiative came months after a successful coastal clean-up drive of NWTF in areas where it operates all over the Philippines on March 10 in celebration of International Women’s Month.
NWTF wanted to address environmental issues close to home as there has been a recorded decline of natural forests in Negros Occidental. This puts in danger all the wild animals and other endemic species of Negros and Panay; these include the West Visayas Big 5: the Visayan Spotted Deer, Visayan Warty Pig, Visayan Tarictic Hornbill, Negros Bleeding Heart Dove, and the critically endangered Rufous Headed Hornbill. All of them depend on abundant forest covers as their natural habitat.
“We should be doing something about this growing problem not only in Negros but all over the country, and we must act now. We need everyone’s support to save our forests, and it is also for that reason that we specifically invited the next generation to be part of this activity,” Serios added.
“We all have to acknowledge that this is not a problem of just one generation. This is a problem that affects all. And we should all be responsible and be proactive in protecting and taking care of the environment,” he said.
Ralph Angolo from Carlos Hilado Memorial State University and TAYO expressed his support for initiatives like this, especially for the environment because for him it is our social responsibility to preserve our environment as we ourselves are the reason that our nature has degraded into its current state.*
