8 November 2019, Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Siniloan, Laguna. As part of Chubb’s “Regional Day of Service“, 43 Earth Warriors participated in the planting of 720 indigenous Philippine forest trees last 8th of November 2019 at the 5,719 hectare Laguna Quezon Land Grant (LQLG), which forms part of the larger protected rainforest totalling approximately 9055 hectares when combined with the 3,336 hectare adjacent Laguna Land Grant) managed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños/UPLB. – FEED’s first and longest partner in its LIVING LEGACY programs.
Whether trekking to their planting site, propagating new native forest seedlings at the nursery or planting the 720 up at top ridge (approximately 1,650f t), the forest guards noticed that every Chubb Earth Warrior was very focused, committed and happy – despite starting the program later than scheduled, and despite the 45 minute intended moderate – but rather difficult due to rains – trek up to the top ridge!
After all Chubb participants had arrived at the LQLG Training Center, and had time for coffee, tea and refreshments, Peter van Ratingen (pictured left below), Chubb Philippines Country President, shared some inspirational words to the Chubb, FEED and UPLB crew, saying: “We take Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability seriously at Chubb, which is why we are here today – to experience de- and, more importantly, re-forestation first-hand with the local community of Barangay Magsaysay, many of whom we are fortunate to be planting with as they have been protecting part of the Sierra Madres mountain range and our water supply down in Manila for over 25 years! Make every seedling you plant count, folks, because each tree makes a difference!”
Pieter E.M. Bakker (pictured right above), Communications & Strategy Advisor of FEED in response: “Thank you everyone for making it out here to help us at FEED and UPLB protect our strongest defense against storm surges, super typhoons and the source of our freshwater. We at FEED would not be able to continue our jobs if it were not for you, Earth Warriors, to help us. Thank you Chubb Philippines for enabling the addition of 720 trees to our watershed, May the Forest be With you always!”.
Forester Reynaldo Lorida (pictured center above), LQLG Field Manager, updated everyone on the “Status of Philippine Forests“, stating that “although we may have lost 70% forest cover from Ridge to Reef across the Philippines, we are also gradually restoring not only native trees, but also biodiverse-rich habitats to all living creatures of the forest, including the bats, the bees and butterflies, Nature’s inherent propagators; as well as livelihood alternatives for our local communities, thereby enhancing a more sustainable approach to the management of our forests“. Forester Rey Lorida has been planting for over 21 years now at the LQLG, so he shared his sincere thanks to all Chubb and Kapatalan Elementary School participants for taking time away from work, school and family to help reforest the country.
FEED would like to give special thanks to Ms. Apple Sta. Ana (pictured 2nd from right), Executive Assistant to the Chubb Philippines Country President, who lead all the organizing of Chubb’s Regional Day of Service, and who customized program details including nursery set-up, meals prepared by the local community and overall coordination of the event. Especially, for involving an excellent photographer who delivered candid and group shots printed on the day itself (picture above) Chubb’s “Plant Trees to Grow for a Better Tomorrow – Regional Day of Service – Education at Heart”!
Part of Chubb’s contribution also goes to a partial scholarship to a socially- / economically- / and/or financially-challenged student performing with an average GPA of 1.25 at UPLB; as well as direct support delivered to the LQLG community mothers who prepared the native Binalot chicken adobo wrapped in banana leaves, with rice, banana, tomato and egg. The 25 permanent forest guards based at LQLG and some of their family members help maintain the nurseries throughout the Land Grants; help in setting up the Training Center for the talks and brunches; conduct regular cleanups, water provision and ensure the safety and security of all participants.
Aside from Chubb’s generous P9,000 scholarship contribution (a Masters level research at UPLB is at PHP40,000), they also invited 36 students ranging from different grades, including their administrative and teaching leaders – from neighbouring Kapatalan Elementary School, College & University – to join in the full program up to the Binalot lunch, with Chubb donating slippers and school supplies to the children. Kapatalan Elementary School was filtered and selected out of 4 other nearby public schools, as most of the kids had never participated in a planting before and the school leadership proved interested and willing to learn, despite a lack of resources from the Gulayan sa Paralan Program (GPP).
The GPP focuses on nutrition but also creates communities of young farmers that are to help spread agriculture in their backyards and communities, but its resources do not always make their way to remote schools. GPP was issued according to DepEd Memorandum No. 293 series of 2007 “to encourage both public elementary and secondary schools to establish school gardens to ensure the continuous supply of vegetables for school feeding, specifically School-Based Feeding program (SBFP).” (Source: http://rfo02.da.gov.ph/2019/08/05/da-deped-review-gulayan-sa-paaralan-program/)
Mr. Peter van Ratingen, Chubb Philippines Country Manager receiving the Corporate CSR Certificate of Participation confirming the 720 trees planted, with FEED Chairman and co-Founder Jacob Bakker (center), and FEED Communications & Strategy Advisor, Pieter E.M. Bakker (right).
FEED also recalls fondly that at the time of the Tree Planting Orientation talk about 3 weeks prior to Chubb’s planting date, whilst at Chubb Philippine HQ in Makati, Mr. van Ratingen (pictured left above) mentioned that he carried a “PhD in Botany” but was never truly able to practice his study, as he was drawn into the insurance industry from an early age almost directly after college; that he was “very happy that Chubb opted to carry out a reforestation effort in a sustainably managed forest, where he might one day return to his Botany roots!” We hope you do, and you are most welcome any time.
Thank you CHUBB PHILIPPINES EARTH WARRIORS – MAY THE FOREST BE WITH YOU ALL, ALWAYS!
FEED Photo Journal (Slideshow)
GPS Coordinates for Remote Monitoring
Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include:
- https://www.gps-coordinates.net/
- https://gps-coordinates.org
- https://www.maps.ie/coordinates.html
- http://www.mapcoordinates.net/en
Native Upland Forest Tree Species Planted
Malaruhat (Syzygium nitidum)
Bani (Pongamia pinnata)
Kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa)
White lauan (Shorea contorta)
Bignay (Antidesma bunius)
Lipote (Syzygium polycephaloides)
About Chubb Philippines
Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs more than 30,000 people worldwide.
Chubb, via acquisitions by its predecessor companies, has been present in the Philippines for more than 70 years. Chubb in the Philippines is a branch of Insurance Company of North America, which has been assigned a financial rating of AA by Standard & Poor’s. The company provides specialized and customized coverages for Property, Casualty, Marine, Financial Lines, as well as Accident & Health. It leverages global expertise and local acumen to tailor solutions to mitigate clients’ risks. With a focus on building strong relationships with its clients by offering responsive service, Chubb in the Philippines has become one of the leading providers of Specialty Personal Lines, Accident & Health insurance through direct marketing.
Insurance Company of North America (a Chubb Company) is a registered non-life insurance company with Certificate of Authority No. 2019/85-R issued by the Insurance Commission.
For more details, visit: https://www.chubb.com › ph-en
CONTACT FEED
In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry.
FEED runs a number of Students and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE); Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – such as mangrove planting for coastal protection or ridge reforestation plantings; One Child, One Tree; Bio-Intensive Gardens (BIG) for nutrition in public elementary schools and other spaces; Climate Change Survival 101 and other LIVING LEGACY programs – customised environmental engagement activities for individuals and organisations interested in contributing to climate change adaptation efforts and greening critical areas such as watersheds, ridges, and reefs that all require rehabilitation.
Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
Check out the video journey by Clueless Commuter who planted with us last 24th of June 2017 to get a good idea of how FEED plantings go: https://youtu.be/KROn4rjVqBg
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.