25 October 2022, Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Siniloan, Laguna – Sierra Madre Mountains. “All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least twelve (12) years of age, shall be required to plant one (1) tree every year.” This statement is taken from Section 8 of the Republic Act 10176.
With the aim to aid our damaged environment, this act surely helps the environment, especially the rainforests, from a total destruction from man-made activities and natural calamities. However, unfortunately, the law is not strictly enforced in the country.
As part of the month-long anniversary celebration of Civil engineering Executive Organization, the chosen organizing team have come up with a project called “OuTREEch Project: Leaf a Mark”. Celebrated annually, the organization conducts an outreach program to help the community and/or the environment. This year, CEO is fortunate to become a partner of FEED.
Last October 25, 2022, 35 CEO members traveled from Los Baños to Siniloan, Laguna, where the tree planting venue is located.
CEO visited the the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Siniloan, Laguna, where it was a 2-hour drive from the University of the Philippines – Los Banos (UPLB). Arriving at the venue, the members were welcomed by speakers who have given them initial information about the land and have given a tour of the area where the members were supposed to plant the seedlings.
Each member was given six (6) seedlings to plant and the seedlings are already prepared at the planting area. In the middle of the heavy rainfall, digging hands with wet soil are captured with smiles on their faces.
A total of 200 seedlings were planted: 50 species of Laneteng gubat, 100 Malaruhat and 50 Malasantol.
The CEO team were enthusiastically compacting the soil of the seedling while preparing it to be planted in the designated hole prepared by the forest guards. In the end, the members were happy to plant all the seedlings that were prepared, despite the heavy rains. On the way back, the members cannot hide their joy by taking photos along the way. Some enjoyed washing their hands in the lake. As the rain continues to fall from the sky, the members were beyond thankful to FEED for the opportunity and surely, the lessons will be sincerely reflected on.
“Hindi namin inalintana ang masamang panahon para magtungo sa LQLG, Siniloan, Laguna nang mahigit dalawang oras para magtanim ng mga puno, dahil mas lamang ang pag-ibig sa kalikasan lalo ngayon sa patuloy na lumalalang dulot na tayo rin ang may gawa. Bilang Iskolar ng Bayan, may saya sa aking puso magsukli sa bayan, sa sektor ng kapaligiran.”
-Eugene Andrei Canasa
“I never knew that tree-planting could be so fun despite the high amounts of work and care required in order to grow a firm and healthy tree. As future civil engineers, it was great how the importance and relevance of trees to civil engineering is highlighted in the activity, which makes the whole outreach fruitful. Moreover, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the betterment of our environment, for a greener and safer future.”
-Jacob Deonio
“I’ve been an active member of YES-O club kaya yearly din kami nagtree planting and lagi rin kami nai-invite kapag may tree-planting sa city namin. After pandemic, ngayon nalang ulit ako nakapagtree planting and the only difference is mas marami akong natutunan sa exeperience na yun. Kung dati, sumasali lang ako kasi nageenjoy ako umakyat ng bundok kasama ang mga friends and classmates pero ngayon, I saw this kind of activity as a purpose. What remains to me is the importance of giving back to nature as well as to appreciate the hard works of people maintaining them. Nakakatuwa na nakasali ako sa ganitong organization na hindi lamang pinapahalagahan ang academics pati na rin ang kapaligiran.”
-Jesadel Jane Lomeda
Driving back to UPLB, the members had a stopover at a restaurant to partner a cold weather with a hot soup. Finally, the members have reached their dormitories and got some rest before uploading individual reels and stories on their respective social media accounts.
Definitely, this outreach program did not only provide an opportunity for the members to bond and gather, but also an opportunity to look outside our fields of interest. To be socially and environmentally aware, these were the lessons that we have learned in this project. In our more or less 20 years of existence, we still have a debt to pay in the form of trees.
GPS Location of CEO Planting SIte, Sierra Madres
Great work CEO, stay green!
View all documented pictures here from CEO: https://www.facebook.com/CEO2000/posts/pfbid02S7h9Xxh2t7Ab1rZgfo84g3vXX8BU9Jdi1m33c4Jst3dHesyMRGwQJm9kBja3YyV6l
Photo Journal
NATURE IS SPEAKING (Narrated by Julia Roberts)
What can I do to stop climate change?
“As the world warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on food crops, and many animal and plant species are being driven to extinction. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity.
The good news: We are not alone. People, communities, cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do.
In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.” – David Suzuki
Check out some of the ways you can take more climate change action.
For example, Climate Action groups are the local solution to a global crisis. Right now people just like you are coming together to develop practical, local solutions and make their towns and cities more climate-friendly. Are you ready to join them? Find out what’s happening near you.
More here: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/what-can-I-do-to-stop-climate-change
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.
Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
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.