MANILA, Philippines -- Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has ordered all public and private schools nationwide to plant trees in a bid to combat global warming.

Lapus’ order is contained in Department Education (DepEd) order No. 33, directing all schools to conduct annual “extensive tree-panting, tree-growing, and tree-caring activities” in their campuses and nearby communities.

He emphasized that schools should plant trees endemic to the Philippines like Narra, Molave, Acacia, and Kamagong.

Lapus also prohibited the cutting of trees on school grounds and urged school administrators to “take a direct hand” in implementing related activities.

Schools are also mandated to establish mini-forests and plant nurseries, conduct symposia and other related activities that would increase public awareness about the current state of the environment, according to the directive.

“[Global warming] requires us to take solid, concerted action to arrest the continuing decline of our environment,” Lapus said.

Lapus also urged school-based organizations such as the Supreme Student Government, Supreme Pupil Government, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization, to initiate tree-planting activities in their schools as part of their civic duty.

In order to sustain the campaign, Lapus suggested that school officials establish partnerships with other stakeholders like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, their respective local government units and members of the private sector.