AS THE rainy season is underway in the Philippines, over 15,000 trees were planted in Northern Luzon and Mindanao by Hedcor volunteers, including its stakeholders, partners from the local government agencies, and media practitioners.
“Seedlings have higher survival rate if planted during the rainy season,” Cranep Udan, Hedcor’s environmental management officer, said.
Up the North in Luzon, 8,200 assorted tree seedlings were planted: 3,700 trees were planted in Tuba and Bineng, Benguet; 2,200 in Bakun, Benguet; 1,500 in Sabangan, Mt. Province; and 1,000 in Ilocos Sur.
Trees planted include lemon, rambutan, guyabano, and coffee, among others except in Ilocos Sur wherein mahogany seedlings were planted.
All these were made possible through 300 volunteers who covered 4.24 hectares of land.
Down the south in Mindanao, volunteers were as proactive in reforesting the environment. A total of 7,000 seedlings were planted, where 3,500 seedlings were planted in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and another 3,500 in Davao City.
To cover a total of 5.30 hectares of land area, 200 volunteers worked together in planting falcata, narra, and durian seedlings.
Udan said, “Trees are the world’s biggest plants. Justified by its size, trees are one of the largest suppliers of materials for tools and shelter, fruits and other food, and not to mention--oxygen. With these facts alone, it’s no question that trees are vital to life.”
The Aboitiz Group’s initial goal was to plant three million trees by 2015. Aboitiz readily surpassed that goal and raised its target to nine million trees by 2020. As of end 2018, the group has planted 6.6 million trees all over the Philippines. And, Hedcor is committed to contribute to this effort. To date, 2.8 million trees were planted by Hedcor with 87 percent survival rate.