In Koronadal City, 28,000 plant 108,000 trees in 20 minutes

KORONADAL CITY—At least 28,000 people planted 108,000 tree seedlings across the city’s Roxas mountain range—which spans six villages—in less than 20 minutes on Wednesday.

Organizers had hoped the event would be recognized by the Guinness World Records as the biggest number of people planting trees in so short a time.

For Mayor Peter Miguel, however, it was not about just clinching a title, but a paradigm shift for people on environmental issues.

“This campaign is more than awareness, it’s about changing the attitude of the people,” he said.

The Roxas mountain range is among the major sources of water for the Liguasan Marsh. Denudation was among several reasons seen for siltation in the marsh, blamed for recent floods in Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Cotabato City.

Dubbed the Tree Growing Festival, the event was held in time for the International Environment Month.

Miguel said the city government spent P184 per day for cash-for-work beneficiaries for 11 days to dig holes for the tree planting. They started last June 12.