25 million students seen helping plant trees
In response to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to protect the environment, the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to tap 25 million students nationwide for a campaign for every student to plant a tree every year in schools, communities and other areas like watershed.
In a statement quoting him, Education Undersecretary Alain del Pascua said efforts to plant trees would not only help repair deforested areas, but were acts that show “we love one another.”
Love of country
In a speech at the Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC) Recognition and Pledging Day held recently, Del Pascua said planting trees would also be a “manifestation of love of country.”
Del Pascua said “by involving our learners to each plant a tree every year, we will not only further educate them about reforestation but also bring to their consciousness the importance of preservation and conservation of one of the most basic resources: water.”
The AMTC, initiated by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), was a call for focus and priority on the environment.
Article continues after this advertisement1.2M trees
Article continues after this advertisementIn 2017, at least 1.2 million trees were planted in six watersheds—Ipo, Angat, Umiray, Marikina, La Mesa and Laguna lake through the AMTC.
“It is timely in the wake of massive flooding, catastrophic landslides, and devastating loss of livelihood and lives due to climate change,” del Pascua said.
“We all have to do our part,” he added.
The DepEd is in the process of reviving the School in Garden, a program aimed at tapping the help of students to turn schools green and colorful by planting native and endemic plant species in campuses.
