Beta Sigma to plant trees July 14

To mark its 66th founding anniversary, the Beta Sigma fraternity will lead a nationwide tree planting activity  dubbed “Alay ng Kapatiran sa Inang Kalikasan”  with student organizations and civil society groups in support of the National Greening Program (NGP).

Ismael Tumaru,  Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association National Assembly president, said the activity is just the start of a “massive tree-growing” campaign involving their 15,000-strong members.

At the University of the Philippines where the fraternity was founded, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will join the kick-off ceremony at 7 a.m.

Paje and Alcala, both Beta Sigma alumni, will lead the initiative which aims to motivate citizens to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 hectares for six years.

Gazmin has championed the military’s effort in the greening of all military establishments  nationwide.

The UP Beta Sigma fraternity, its mother chapter, will host a grand ball at the Manila Hotel in the evening.