I WOKE up early at 3 a.m. to join the ride with Davao Oriental's tourism consultant Cynthia "Ging" Rodriguez and guest Secretary Heherson Alvarez and staff. It was a smooth hour's ride to Barangay Pintatagan, Banaybanay which borders Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

It was an eventful day for the province and a milestone for those involved in the launch of the Million Trees Movement, headed by Governor Cora Malanyaon. She has issued an executive order institutionalizing the Million Trees Movement in Davao Oriental, a program which aims to start planting on June 22, 2009, to be able to plant a million trees by 2010; five million trees by 2011, and so forth. This is will help absorb carbon dioxide and at the same time beautify the scenic national highway of the province.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Secretary Alvarez, as the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change, was guest speaker and joined Governor Malanyaon and Vice Governor Joel Almario in the kick-off tree planting activity for the simultaneous planting of trees along the road that stretches from Banaybanay to Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Governor Cora hopes that this joint effort will show a commitment of solidarity in fighting climate change. Her priority is to implement more provincial ordinances that will protect the ecosystem, as well as create a healthier environment for the people and future generations.

After a well-attended program came the Covenant Signing for Joining Carbon-Cutting Coalition vs Climate Change Movement which was pledged by board members, municipal mayors, provincial heads of offices, national agencies, religious sectors, private entities and civil society groups.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Governor Malanyaon, Gregorio V. Lagura (OIC, PENR Officer), Police Senior Superintendent Efren M. Perez, officers and staff (Philippine National Police [PNP] Director, Doppo), Colonel Romeo V Calizo (Commanding Officer, 6001st Infantry Brigade), Fr. Medardo A. Salomia (chair, ImpedeMPEDE), Julius L. Mabini (Provincial Officer NCIP), Mr. Rodel P. Casama (Senior Chief Petty Officer, Station Commander), and Jonelito H. Vicente (Provincial Coconut Development manager).

It was also the inauguration of the Welcome Park in Banaybanay, as a tourist gateway to the province. The park features among others, a symbolic giant sculpture of a Mandayan native woman carrying a basket of fruits, and a pathway of more than 600 steps leading to the top of a hill overlooking a panoramic Davao Gulf.

Kudos to Governor Malanyaon, staff and constituents who make good role models for such a profound move to change the world, albeit one municipality at a time.

Email writer at jojiealcantara@gmail.com and visit her website in www.witerary.com