The Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) last Thursday held a tree-planting activity at NPF’s 9.5-hectare property, the Entertainment City in Paranaque, in observance of this year’s Philippine Environment Month.
NPF and DENR’s Biodiversity and Forest Management Bureau staff members have planted more than 100 trees with a variety of saplings from Ipil-Ipil, Tindalo, Yakal, Makaasim, Phil Ash, Lipote, Palawan Cherry, Dita, Batino to Bignay.
With the “Aksyon Para sa Natatanging Mundo” theme, this year’s celebration promotes the #OnlyOneEarth campaign, and it highlights the “collaborative efforts” made by the two institutions to “provide a breathable environment for upcoming generations.”
On April 4, 1988, then-President Corazon Aquino signed Proclamation No. 237, designating June of each year as Philippine Environment Month and committing time and resources to the preservation, improvement, and growth of the nation’s environment.
Jovertlee Pudan, NPF deputy executive director for Marketing and Operations, emphasized in his speech their foundation’s “Project Sambayanihan” which advocates for a “greener environment and nature conservation.”
“This initiative aims to transform this 9.5-hectare property into an urban green space by planting more than 400 trees this year by promoting a participatory approach through partnerships with other government agencies,” he said.
Other green initiatives
This was not the first time NPF partnered with government institutions for their green initiatives.
In March 2021, NPF teamed up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to plant flowering trees in recognition of Philippine Women’s Month.
NPF also joined the Department of Health in developing additional greener spaces in Metro Manila in May to help promote mental health awareness among Filipinos.
Pudan, an environmental planner, also stressed that “to make real change, we should plant more trees.”
According to the environment department, planting trees “improves the quality of life.”
“Trees have lots of benefits, and tree growing is an essential way countries across the globe are doing to avert the harsh impacts of climate change,” a press release from its official website reads.
The month of June also marks the celebration of the World’s Environment Day, annually held every June 5.
