ARTECHE, Eastern Samar (PIA) – As the town of Arteche marks its 74th Founding Anniversary on April 27, the local government launched the “Tanom Bag-o Graduate” program, turning this April’s graduation season into an opportunity for environmental action.
Spearheaded by the Municipal Agricultural Services Office, the program gathered 217 senior high school graduates from Arteche National High School (ANHS) for a hands-on mangrove education and planting drive.
These young graduates, alongside 31 TESDA-Arteche National Agricultural School (ANAS) completers, stepped into their new roles not just as achievers but as stewards of the environment.
Through this initiative, each graduate plants a mangrove seedling, with the program expected to reforest at least 1 hectare of coastal area each year.
Arteche Mayor Roland Boie Evardone said that each mangrove is a living symbol of the graduates’ commitment to sustainability and the town’s future.
“It is not just about planting trees; it is about cultivating a mindset of care and accountability among our youth,” Evardone added.
In a Facebook post, Lira Maiso-Libanan, principal of ANHS, shared that the experience was deeply meaningful.
“Thank you so much for choosing us to be part of this meaningful cause—it truly means a lot. Together, we’re investing in our future and building a thriving community,” Libanan said.
The initiative also seeks to educate participants on the crucial role of mangroves in coastal protection, biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
By integrating environmental stewardship into a key milestone in their lives, Arteche’s youth are not only celebrating the past 74 years of their town; they are anchoring its future in sustainability, resilience and a greener future. (VTG/PIA E. Samar)
