LINAMON, Lanao del Norte (PIA)– Three hundred eighty-two public schools in the province participated in the nationwide planting of 236,000 trees as part of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Christmas project.
Dubbed ‘DepEd’s 236,000 Trees—A Christmas Gift for the Children,’ the tree planting activity aims to promote environmental preservation and instill responsibility among Filipino youth and school personnel.
In the province, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provided seedlings for each school. Each school was encouraged to plant a minimum of five trees.
Participating schools in the province planted more than 1,910 trees, including fruit-bearing trees and native Philippine species, depending on their availability and suitability for the area.
Dimple Cabasis, DepEd Lanao del Norte Division Disaster Risk Reduction and Management coordinator, expressed hope that these trees, once planted, would flourish and benefit the province, particularly the schools.
“I hope that these trees na gipananom nato, mu-grow siya ug makahatag og kaayohan diri sa province sa Lanao del Norte, especially sa atong mga eskwelahan [I hope that these trees we planted will grow and bring benefits here in the province of Lanao del Norte, especially in our schools],” she said.
Students of Linamon National High School plant golden trumpet trees. (ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Melchora Batingal, the school head of Linamon National High School, emphasized that planting Golden Trumpet trees could beautify the school grounds.
“This year, we received 10 gold trees from the Department of Agriculture. Hopefully, these trees will grow, allowing us to propagate and increase the gold tree species,” she said.
Pupils in Samburon Integrated School in Linamon town also planted fruit-bearing trees like mango and durian.
Meanwhile, at Jose Balazo Memorial Elementary School (JBMES) in Kauswagan town, pupils and teachers planted 20 mahogany trees at the school and plan to plant 10 more at the barangay plaza. JBMES school head, Marfe Rondez, said they will ensure the trees’ survival by regularly watering them and using tree guards for maintenance.
Pupils and teachers of Jose Balazo Memorial Elementary School in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte plant 20 Mahogany trees. (ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Moreover, pupils and school personnel of Kauswagan Central Elementary School (KCES) planted mangrove trees at the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center.
Daylen Dela Pieza, a 25-year-old student of the Alternative Learning System program at KCES, emphasized the significance of mangroves in protecting against coastal hazards like tsunamis.
“Importante ning bakhaw kay siya tig-sangga sa mga kalamidad. Makatabang man gud ang bakhaw pag naay tsunami, siya musagang ug mu-protect sa mga tao na di masalanta [Mangroves are important because they serve as a barrier during calamities. Mangroves are also helpful during tsunamis as they shield and protect people from being severely affected],” she said.
Dela Pieza is also grateful for the opportunity that the ALS program provided to complete her education. She said she was able to pursue her studies before due to family issues and financial constraints. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
