BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
BPI Bayan-Negros area held a series of activities at Balangaw in Sitio Roma, Brgy. Batea, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, recently, for the 170th anniversary of BPI next month.
BPI employees planted 170 propagules to replace mangroves destroyed by waves, engaged in coastal cleanup activity, and distributed 170 kilos of rice to members of the Sitio Roma Fisherfolk Association.
BPI started operating in August 1851.
Since 2019, BPI Bayan Negros had been promoting biodiversity and raising awareness on mangrove conservation to address siltation in the coastal area of Sitio Roma, among others, following a similar program successfully implemented in Brgy. Tuburan, EB Magalona.
“We are celebrating 170 years of building a better Philippines, As ‘One BPI’, it is our responsibility to enrich and share the bayanihan spirit in preserving the continuous rehabilitation of our environment,” the group, led by Ma. Paz Ebojo, Yen Centina, Tine Villan, and Jam Calabon-Nombre, said.
“As we always say, ‘Dare To Care And Be Aware!” they added.
The four spearheaded the series of activities in EB Magalona, accompanied by volunteers and town residents.
The BPI-Victorias and Sagay branches “Oplan Save Tuburan” project in EB Magalona was among the five grand winners of the BPI Bayan Projects, several years ago.
It was later replicated in Sitio Roma, Brgy. Batea, EB Magalona, where residents had been organized to protect the coastal area from erosion and siltation.*
