Reforestation caravan kicks off June 18

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education in its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP will kick off the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan on June 18, Saturday in sitio Cantipla 2, barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

PBSP targets to plant 15,000 seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event. Aside from this, volunteers are encouraged to take part in various breakout activities during the kickoff.

For this year, PBSP invited experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. to discuss on the unique biodiversity of the Cebu hillylands as well as the components of Cebu’s forests.

PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society, which will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching. The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu.

It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies. Last year, with the help of 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

The foundation hopes to increase participation of agencies, companies and individuals by bringing 5,000 volunteers to plant this year.

Companies and institutions that will join the kickoff on June 18 are the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., PLDT, TMX Philippines, The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Fooda Saversmart Corp., Smart Communications, Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines and Philippine Guardians Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King and Sons, Aboitiz and Co. Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc., Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Abag sa Kalikupan Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant. PBSP is still inviting more companies to join the kickoff on June 18 and the succeeding Saturdays of the reforestation caravan to meet its target to reforest at least 100 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands. Companies and individuals can participate in PBSP’s efforts by adopting a hectare for reforestation or by bringing employee volunteers on any scheduled Saturday of the annual caravan.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until Oct. 15.

For more information, interested companies and volunteers may contact Malu Largo of PBSP at 2325283 or 2325270 or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected].