FORCE MAJEURE

"Force Majeure literally means "greater force". These clauses excuse a party from liability if some unforseen event beyond the control of that party prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract. Typically, force majeure clauses cover natural disasters or other "Acts of God", war, or the failure of third parties--such as suppliers and subcontractors--to perform their obligations to the contracting party. It is important to remember that force majeure clauses are intended to excuse a party only if the failure to perform could not be avoided by the exercise of due care by that party." – wikipedia (internet)


3PM, September 28, 2009 – A caucus of Managers assembled for a special urgent meeting at the Executive Conference hall calling upon motions to save AG&P Managers and staff trapped in loops of devastations surplus by Typhoon ONDOY recently. Nearly 50 AG&P families and their houses were submerged under 25 feet of muddy streams in the National Capital Region.

Among some were Rosulo Carag in Brooksides, Quezon City, Edmund Ray Padrid of Cainta, Rizal and Godofredo R. Mabujos of Sta. Lucia Pasig, all from extreme locations of Metro Manila, as everyone suffered the same dreadful fate.

"Darkness shrouded the areas were we tried to salvage our AG&P employees. We tried braving the flooded highways of Rizal to deliver food, water, relief goods and medicines but to no avail, they were unreachable!" Eduardo Villena recounts as he narrated how he exhausted AG&P resources 24 hours to bring help to AG&P managers, staff and BHFY cooperative members.

After 5PM, September 28, 2009 – Eduardo Villena, Special Services and Support Department Manager, was appointed by AG&P Management to lead the task force 'Force Majeure' of AG&P with the objective of delivering goods, foods, clothing and medicines directly to those affected by typhoon ONDOY. Villena called upon 12 of his best people to prepare and purchase items necessary to help the upsets. 10,000 liters of mineral water were prepared, medicines were packed and clothes were solicited. Before 7 'oclock the next morning Ed Villena convoyed two teams to NCR. Team 1 went North and team 2, East.

In Bagong Silang, brooksides, Quezon City alone 79 died and 7000 families lost their houses under river-like mire. Typhoon Ondoy ruined and transformed the once peaceful 'Gawad-Kalinga' relocation site into a huge sludge district, no neighborhood, no school, nothing seen but colored roof tops on three (3) feet ground.

The highland basketball court served as Bagong Silang's refugee camp. It sheltered 5000 families and rescued the most find they can in the 4 days slow pouring voluminous rains.

Rosulo "Orly" Carag narrates his ordeal as "A nightmare". According to Orly, they walked 32 kilometers for 12 hours from Bicutan to Quezon City because floods and traffic barricaded the roads to Bagong Silang. In every toll he saw people swimming and slowly crossing rivers in the middle of the EDSA highways. He could not even recall how beautiful this freeway was because all he saw were chaos. Cries, screams and holler of grieving men, women and child from left to right and below the skyways were heard from all over. Orly could not care more on thoughts that his family needed him more than anybody else. Everyone is trying to rescue everyone, everywhere. Who rescues who, death crosses the path between them.

75 coffins lie amidst the Bagong Silang basketball court after the rains. Grieving families could not eat even while relief goods and medicines were being distributed by foundations and good hearted volunteers in front of them.

There was no room for sympathy, everyone has someone and something to lament upon.

According to Mr. Villena, most affected among AG&P employees were Mr. Godofredo R. Magbujos in Pasig and Ray Padrid in Cainta, not to mention the BHFY Cooperative Staff living in Payatas. Rizal. Team 1 tried to cross Rizal to reach Mr. Padrid.

Phones and landlines were down and there was no way to talk with the Manager during day time. The team had to wait until dawn to communicate with Padrid so learned that food, medicines and clothes were most needed by his family. Although the next dry area was just 2 kilometers from his house, Manager Padrid feared risking his life to buy things and food he really needs. Raft and boats were AG&P's only methods to relay the relief to Padrid.

On the other hand, Manager Magbujos was in nomads' land. Team 2 surrendered the quest but left a message that another team will be heading his area to assist the manager in his dilemma. Thousand of liters of Mineral water were left by AG&P to Mayor Echeveri in Caloocan for distribution to other needy constituents.

The Prayer

"Wala pong kaming nai-save, walang wala! Lubog kami sa putik at pati bahay namin ay natakloban na ng tubig! Puno ng putik ang katawan ko, walang tubig at walang pag-kain, kawawa naman ang mga anak namin!" Cries heard over the company phone of Mr. Ben S. Aclan, Marketing and Information Officer as he tries to call members of the BHFY cooperatives living inside the PAYATAS area, squatters' lane in Quezon City.

The AG&P Company of Manila Foundation Inc, in cooperation with AG&P and BHFY Cooperative conducted a solicitation drive to support efforts of Ed Villena in delivering help, evacuating and searching for AG&P families in NCR. Hundreds of relief clothes were delivered to the second floor office of Executive Director Renato M. Alarcon. Donation con-session drums over poured with new and old clothes, towels, pants, baby dresses, under wears, lingerie's and personal effects. The clothes came from department employees who personally carried the items into the yard for donation.

Cash and gifts were also accounted for by AG&PFI and the Personnel Department. An approximated P92,000.00 were solicited yard wide to support the stricken employees.

One of the successfully evacuated employees was Orly Carag who returned to Batangas September 29, 2009 after receiving assistance from AG&P. He said that his gratefulness to AG&P can not be repaid. Carag also recounted how his faith was tested when he saw his fellow poor receiving help from AG&P and other institutions while they were all in complete despair over their unfeigned situation. "Hindi sapat ang buong araw sa pagtulong! All we can do is sit back and wait for sun rises every time the sun sets. Mabaho ang paligid, amoy PATAY. amoy nabubulok na sugat! Amoy putik kahit saan ka pumunta kahit magtago ka pa! Amoy ito sa katawan at sa damit ko!" Mr. Carag exclaims.

He said that he was also grateful to the people who donated goods, medicines and clothes for them. Among others, they need labor assistance in cleaning the houses. If people will join forces in cleaning each others houses this will definitely ease the burdens families have against the catastrophic effect of Ondoy.

The operations to save more lives, especially the families of AG&P, are becoming a 'mission' to each employee. Donations are coming in and calls on their intentions to serve as volunteers were increasing as days pass by.

Let us pray for those who have suffered enough that the good Lord bless, save and protect them against plagues and infirmities, that they surpass these trials and start a new life under Gods graces.

A Father was saved by AG&P Engineering Department.

An engineering employee, Ginalyn G. Quinio, having been disqualified to become a donor, approached Executive Director Alarcon to ask if she may be permitted to donate blood despite her ineligibility because her Father needs blood for transfusion which was scheduled on August 31, 2009, Monday.

Aurio L. Quinio, Father of Ginalyn, had been suffering from Nephrities for three years, where only 10% of one from two (2) kidneys was working caused by the growth of polyp in his prostate (tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male). The father needs at least 2,000cc of 'Hemoglobin', also commonly known as Red Blood Corpucells, to alleviate the paleness and depletion of her crimson cells in the blood. The Platelet was likewise diminishing but can be contained once the four (4) bags of blood were infused in his system.

Mr. Alarcon encouraged Ginalyn to prepare the father's hospitalization as AG&PFI guaranteed four (4) bags of Blood for his speedy recovery, even if she had earlier been disqualified from donating. PNRC Chief of AG&PFI campaign, Dra. Turno, seconded the commitment and gave the engineer her assurance of blood. "This was practically the reason why we conducted the Blood Letting and Donation campaign. This will be our success story and this will be an inspiration we can share to the most needy" Mr. Alarcon exclaimed

The blood was delivered to the charity ward hall of San Jose District Hospital by AGPFI Marketing and Information Officer Ben S. Aclan 7AM, early Monday, where Ginalyn's father was confined. It was a teary meeting between Ka Aurio and Mr. Aclan. The patient was so thankful that he could not utter a word of gratefulness and in his eyes show gladness and appreciation as tears stream incessantly. Ka Aurio muttered "Salamat po Mr. Alarcon!" mistaking the representative to be the Executive Director of the AG&P Company of Manila Foundation, Inc. Mr. Renato M. Alarcon.

"I saw a tube attached in Ka Aurio's belly connected to a plastic bag under the hospital bed. I ask what it was and the patient said, 'Cateter' (surgical laparatomy, bedside, laparoscopic). It was like 'peritoneal dialysis' where the patient could no longer make use of his renal capacities to urinate. The insertion of a cateter to the urinary tract and kidney detour blood liquid cavities (in form of urine) to pass through the bag which serves as bladders." Mr. Aclan explains (The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys prior to disposal by urination).

Ka Aurio was alone because his two children needed to earn enough money to sustain the father's transfusion and future hospitalizations. The charity ward does not offer food, medicine or free potable water. All Ka Aurio has is his white shower towel and a spare of urine bag. No money to spend and no one to comfort him during the confinement.

AG&PFI Executive Director, Renato M. Alarcon, instructed Mr. Aclan to stay with Mr. Aurio until Ginalyn arrives from work. The 24 hour transfusion was successful. Two bags of blood where infused and the other two were saved for the next transfusion schedule. "His paleness diminished slowly and he was red. He can easily breathe now and he was speaking fluently after the procedures. I can see vibrant smiles in Ka Aurio's face immediately after the second bag was induced and he was drinking water for the first time after four (4) hours of waiting", Mr. Aclan narrated.

Ginalyn has to thank Angelic Fritzel Gamab, Rayman Loreja, Jeffrey Hernandez, Charlie Dinglasan, Apple Consolacion, Kim Bryan Garcia, Anna Rochelle Delgado and Ivan Pitalvero, of the AG&P Engineering Department, for the blood donations they made for Mr. Aurio Quinio. "The life they saved was their friends' dads'" says the AG&PFI representative.

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AMA holds jobs fair with AG&P Foundation

Philippine Daily Inquirer - First Posted 01:07:00 11/12/2008

A big majority of businessmen expect a recession in 2009, a more difficult credit environment, and a reduction in jobs—views that coincide with earlier warnings made by government economic managers about the “challenging” road ahead.

The survey was conducted by the MBC—the umbrella group of the country’s largest corporations—among CEOs and senior executives of its member-firms from Oct. 24 to Nov. 7.
The most alarming concern, it seems, is the expected increase in layoffs, which may happen toward the end of the first quarter of 2009, according to results of the survey. This coincides with the end of the school year when fresh graduates pour into the employment market.

“Unemployment will rise, definitely,” MBC executive director Alberto Lim said in an interview. “We graduate about a million [students] into the workforce each year. Where will that million go now?” He said, however, that MBC member-firms had expressed desire to either implement a freeze on hiring or reduce working hours first before moving to more drastic cost reduction measures, like job cuts. (as published)

The increasing support-demands for employment on old and new graduates have escalated to an enormous record-high 89% just this year. In Batangas alone 77% of graduates in all academic courses remained unwaged since 2007 to present. 33% were either underemployed or mismatched from accomplished prospectus. This has been the lowest percentage of employment turn out for the past 30 years in Philippine history contrary to some opinionated claims.

AG&P participated in AMA computer Jobs fair March 13, 2009 to abate escalation of recession in the region catalyzing youth to participate in PGS programs in skills training as an option over labor mismatch coined by ALCU in the employment summit held in Makati City March 5, 2009.

Second year students from AMA region chapters and Batangas City joined the Jobs Fair hoping to be trained under the "alternate-added skills programs" of AG&P Foundation this summer. Computer Technology, Engineering and information Technologies were among the courses mentioned by the Social Weather Station (SWS) to have fallen short on employment this year.

Overseas workers return to Philippines empty handed and are now being poised through President Gloria Scholarship (PGS) programs thus bridging the governments views stated in the 2006 Presidential State of the Nation Address to the economic flux. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unveiled the Super Regions, a development concept aimed at harnessing the natural competitive advantage/s of major areas of the country as well as that of knowledge and technology. She stressed on her SONA that certified graduates should train on becoming call center agents, skilled workers or technicians to keep abreast with the fast changing global skills needs rather than sorting out with less employable trainings and under rated courses. To counter global recession, the country has to provide viable jobs for our people and respond to the demands.

Employability is no longer the issue due to the intensifying standards set by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the government. The availability of jobs and the employment market are the main concerns today which AG&PFI aims to help alleviate through skills training and occupation expediency. AG&P posted needs for Computer programmers, Technicians, Training Instructors of specialized skills, English and Math to start with.

Graduates from AMA and ACLC also sat-in during the trade event as audiences to Zaldy Quizon-AGPFI Registrar, Dianne Ozaeta-Advertising and Promotion, Donna Dalagin-AGPFI HRD and Ben S. Aclan-Marketing and Information Officer.

STA MARIA

Three (3) kilometers away from AG&P, lay a barrio coined after the Mother of Perpetual Help. So meek and humble, like the Virgin, it rose from a lowly sitio of 76 residents to a full Barangay of 890 early 1900s before the WWII broke.

Sta. Maria is the land of Calingasans, Ramoses and Agenas. “Isang pisa”, as the natives term the families who inhabit the barrio relating to close family relations, actually came from one biological origin.

After several attempts to bridge community relations with adjoining barangays, AG&P Foundation Inc finally found a way to motivate volunteers to social services and cooperation. Planting and caring for trees!
Led by a team of 8 from the office of Barangay Captain Restie Agena, the humble chieftain escorted AG&P Foundation Head of Sponsorship Ben S. Aclan and training Manager Walter Faustino to plant 37 Mahogany trees to its reclaimed land extending 3 hectares of rectangular shore off Sta. Maria break water ridge.

Residents witnessed how these mahogany trees were planted on grassy pasture just beside the shore rim. And they were amazed how fast the plants grew after 3 weeks of watering and caring. AG&P Foundation Inc. has been visiting Sta. Maria regularly for the last three weeks to educate the sponsors on trees management and growing. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources through Mrs. Nelia Sazon, DENR/CENR Forester hosted some informal seminars with Sta. Maria volunteers mostly youth and Barangay officials, including the Barangay chairman Restie Agena. Upon instructions from CENR chief Laudemir S. Salac, Ms. Sazon shared some basic plant management techniques and vouched to return on bi-monthly basis to visit the Mahogany trees planted by the young volunteers. AG&P Foundation Inc. assisted DENR/CENR in the preparation and meetings. Mr. Zaldy I. Quizon took notes of every activity completed in Sta. Maria and has logged an inventory on the 37 plants already growing inside the Barangay.

The Municipality of Bauan, Office of the Mayor Ryanh Dolor, appointed Ferdie Agena, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary to look over the needs of AG&P Foundation Inc and Brgy. Sta. Maria on tree planting. Since Mr. Agena also came from the Barangay, it was not so hard for the Secretary to join the previous two (2) meetings with AG&PFI.
100 trees are being requested by Barangay Chairman Agena from AG&PFI to be planted around the proposed playground area of Sta. Maria shore just beside the community chapel. The request is still pending approval until further notice.

Aclan wins photo contest in Batangas

In memory of the birth day of our most blessed Mother, on September 8, the parish council of Batangas launched a parade of exhibits and photo competition inviting effigy owners and photographers in the city to a one-day photography contest.

Ben Sevillano Aclan won Grand prize on his “Matimyas na Ina” (graceful mother) shot of the Mother of Perpetual Help taken inside Batangas Basilica with a ‘prayerful manang’ silhouetted impression giving emphasis on traditional ‘mother’s devotion to the Virgin Mother’. September 8, 2008

AG&P FOUNDATION FIRST MEDICAL MISSION ON SEPTEMBER 5

Bauan, Batangas - ‘On September 5, 2008, Friday, the Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Foundation Inc. will go out of its highly industrialized metal fabrication yard to hold the ‘softest’ hands of the children and family heads of Barangay San Roque, Bauan for a one-day Medical and Dental Mission jointly sponsored by the local government unit headed by Barangay Captain Leopoldo R. Salcedo.’ - Preface
The government has allocated P3B budget in Agriculture just recently to mitigate the diminishing countryside farm industry, to support livelihood and feeding programs of local governments in sow regions. Public and private institutions were encouraged to support the government through copious social and civic ventures.
The Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Foundation Inc, came up just recently programs that were sustainable and pro-nature elevating the lives of its constituents as part of their corporate social responsibility and community service like the most recent Tree plantings and Organic Vegetable Farming.

One of the most ‘touchy’ community based project is the Medical and Dental mission scheduled on the 5th of September, first Friday of this month where 180 dental patients and 900 medical recipients will gather to avail of the foundation’s philanthropy.

Executive Director, Renato M. Alarcon assembled a team of 12 to design a concrete plan for the one day activity where the Barangay Captain of San Roque, Bauan, Mr. Leopoldo Ramos Salcedo was invited to chair the prime organizing and patient’s relation committees.

Medical Doctors, comprised with Pediatricians, Internist, Surgeon, Physician and EENT were invited by AG&P Company through Doctor Michael Cayetano, head of the operations committee. Dentists will join the force through the auspices of PHO, Provincial Health Officer II, Dra. Rosvilinda Ozaeta. Nurses from the Philippine Red Cross, Bauan Doctor’s Hospital and the Philippine Nurses Society of Bauan will also join the mission. Municipal Health Officer I, Dr. Bejer, in cooperation of the Municipality of Bauan, Mayor Ryanh Dolor, pledged coming to the most awaited charity to assist and document outcomes thereto. A conservative estimate of 55 combined professionals will treat the ‘softest’ hands of San Roque, Bauan on the day.

TABOK’S VAGABOND

Coordinator’s Corner

“This is a story about a man from Bicol who volunteered to take care of AG&P’s Trees for a reason…”

For those living in the lower areas of Tabok River, known to many as “Riverside”, growing trees will become part of their daily obligation to tend seedlings of Mahogany and Narra trees since they squat in private lands of BIPI and AG&P.

Mang Romy, turned vagabond from Bicol, has been living along AG&P land since 1983, 25 years now and has restituted to picking garbage living out of it. Labor settling on construction sites was his main skill but fate deprived him of this privilege after his left foot got stuck to break on a harness that hang him for an hour on a high rise structure in Batangas City some ten years ago.

Alone he lived an austere life in AG&P soil.

Today he is part of Barangay Captain Leo Salcedo’s volunteer team who looks after the trees AG&P Foundation Inc. planted for the country’s clean and green programs, not to mention AG&P’s quest to save lives and create livelihood to Bauan communities.

Families have started gathering to protect the environment, by caring for the Mahogany and Narra trees, AG&P instigated June this year.

When interviewed, Mang Romy narrated that the tree planting ceremony of July 1, 2008 inspired him to look beyond his failures and move ahead to a new life just as the new trees were being planted. He nearly cried after everyone left just looking at the seedlings to find his self like these foliages. He thought that if these trees were pluck out from somewhere and brought to AG&P ground to live a new life, why couldn’t he?

From the stories told about Mang Romy, these trees will all forever be his inspiration. And as it grows to maturity so shall a new life for the man from Bicol grow, a new beginning, an inspiration shared by AG&P Foundation Inc.
His hands will nurture the trees for a reason and this reason grows as a motivation for other residents in Tabok River to follow.

What grows along the Riverside? TREES….. NEW LIFE!

“Alulod” is about a family who lived on top of ‘sitio siete’ hill of Sinala, Bauan, Batangas where water scarcely flow and rain seldom drops. Families share a toll at the bucket area called “Tunggaan” (manual ‘Jetmatic’ water pump) 1.5 kilometers down the hill near the Barangay tubigan (water) center. A sufficient 6 to 7 buckets full is worth P35.00 equivalent to the price of a kilo NFA rice to feed the day of a family of 5. As important food is to each family, so is water.
For 15 years nothing has changed in the lives of the poor at Barangay Sinala. The flow of life produces marks obvious to tell how poverty eats up dreams of the growing children. The marks may deceive the newcomers but for those familiar with Sinala, the smudges of water are ambitions surged under the drains.

FREE MEDICAL and DENTAL services from AG&P

SAN ROQUE RESIDENTS RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL CHECK-UPS

In line with its community relations project, AG&P Company of Manila Foundation, Inc. conducted its first Medical and Dental Mission in SRES Multipurpose Hall, Barangay San Roque, Bauan, Batangas, September 5.
Approximately 150 medical and dental practitioners coming from different groups and organizations such as Bauan Doctors General Hospital, Bauan Medical Society, Bauan Rural Health Unit, Bejasa Hospital, Municipal Health Office, Provincial Health Office-Bauan, Provincial Health Office – Lemery, Philippine Nurses Society of Bauan, and Philippine National Red Cross took part in this noble undertaking.
Medical Doctors, which include pediatricians, internists, surgeons, ob-gyne, physicians, and EENT, provided free medical consultation to an estimate of 1500 San Roque residents, ranging from infants to the elderly inhabitants of the barangay. Moreover, roughly 1500 residents and AG&P employees received dental services from dentists coming from Provincial Health Office. Upon the doctors’ prescriptions, medical and dental recipients were able to avail of the free medicines from the Provincial Health Office headed by Dra. Rosvilinda M. Ozaeta, Provincial Health Officer II; Municipal Health Office headed by Dr. Victor C. Bejer, Municipal Health Officer I; Dr. Celis Mercado of Pharmavantage; Councilor Manuel S. Aclan and Governor Vilma Santos-Recto; Orly Foundation; Boeringger Philippines; Pfizer Philippines; and Astra Zeneca.
Aside from the participation of volunteer doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses from various organizations, the event was graced with the presence of Philippine National Red Cross Administrator Ronald G. Generoso, Bauan Mayor Ryanh M. Dolor, AG&P Vice President for Finance and Administration Marcial P. Morales, Jr., BHFY Finance and Administration Head Winefreda O. Madarang, Mrs. Vicky A. Florendo of Batangas Press Club and fifteen other local media, Philippine National Police – Bauan, and Brgy. San Roque Health and Sanitation and Peace and Order Teams.
The success of this first Medical and Dental Mission of AGPFI can also be attributed to the Medical and Dental Mission Committees: Executive Committee chaired by Richard A. Reyes and Renato M. Alarcon; Recruitment (Medical & Dental practitioners) Committee composed of Dr. Michael L. Cayetano, Eduardo S. Villena, and Ben S. Aclan; Solicitation Committee led by Dr. Cayetano; Media and Promotions Committee led by Mario C. Lacerona; Stubs Distribution Committee led by Leopoldo R. Salcedo and Dr. Cayetano; Security and Parking Committee led by Benedicto C. Corona; Ushering and Assist Committee led by Renato M. Alarcon and Walter G. Faustino; Transport Committee led by Rosulo P. Carag; Logistics Committee led by Leopoldo R. Salcedo and Rosulo P. Carag; Food Committee led by Rufino M. Ocampo and Eduardo S. Villena; and Entertainment Committee led by Leopoldo R. Salcedo.

Tree planting a social responsibility

Bauan Technical Highschool
Bauan – “Mahogany Trees grow on straight vertical line downward and upward, roots don’t thrive nor expand, I like it because it blooms faster than any other tall trees we’ve planted inside the campus.” Danny Dolor

The AG&P Company of Manila Foundation, Inc. (AGPFI), jointly with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), Bauan Municipal Agriculture office (MAO), Bauan Municipal Government and the Bauan Technical High School (BTHS) conducted a tree planting program with the theme “Nurture the Nature, Sponsor a Tree” with BTHS teachers, students, guests and staff on July 31st, a day after the opening of its annual intramurals and sports festivities

The Foundation sponsored 100 trees to be planted inside the 4.2 hectares school campus.

On a Department of Education Order number 33 series of 2008, that states’ “Responding to the threat of climate change and global warming through massive, intensive and sustained tree planting, tree growing and tree program” Bauan Technical High School was obliged to deliver a sustainable plan that would address this concern by building alliances with organizations and institutions capable to assist.

Promoted to start, Mr. Walter G. Faustino, Training Department Manager with AGPFI Coordinator Ben S. Aclan organized their tree planting team of 12 to formulate a defined plan for the upcoming program and submitted the work plan to Mr. Renato M. Alarcon, AGPFI Executive Director, for approval.

The Chronicle:
Prior to the agenda Donna P. Dalangin, tree planting team chief OIC for BTHS, set up a registration table to accommodate 100 sponsors for Mahogany trees. 90% were teachers and 10% were staff, maintenance crew and guests. Photo ops came after each one registered as they wave their respective ‘sponsor’s tags’ with ribbons and ‘tying cords’ to pose. The event was clustered orderly immediately commencing the formal procedure.

At least 1000 spectators assembled at the covered grandstand of the host school to witness the ceremonial tree planting program.

The ceremony:
Called together inside the covered grandstand seated 1000, student audiences at the core, teachers on the left lyceum and school staff on the right side of the hall. School Administrator Danny Dolor introduced the emcees, Mr. Jun Dimalibot (BTHS Skills training Instructor) and Mr. Zaldy I. Quizon (AG&PFI Registrar), to the crowd commencing the 45 minutes gathering.

“The need to resolve issues in global warming and nature’s threat to extinct mankind needs to be addressed, now or shall we wait?”, was Principal Erlinda Ilagan’s opening speech as she congratulated AG&P Foundation Inc in its efforts to promote tree planting in Bauan. The concerted school efforts were rewarded when the school head introduced their special guests to the stand to deliver speeches of inspiration, harmony and generosity.

AG&P guests were, Roberto S. Paglinawan, Assistant Vice-President, Richard A. Reyes, Resources Management Head, Leopoldo Salcedo, Barangay Captain of San Roque, Bauan, Ben S. Aclan, AG&P Foundation Inc Coordinator, the Team under the Training Department led by Donna Marie P. Dalangin.

“Trees are grown and not just planted. As we go about caring for trees we learn how to appreciate the goodness of God our creator. The values that we develop while we nurture the nature sponsoring a tree are far beyond what people can teach us for these are actions voluntarily shared usually it comes from beneath and even deeper.” AVP RS Paglinawan emphasized during his inspirational talk. And before the address ended Paglinawan challenged every able body to plant a tree and grow it as if it was a part of self thus being responsible.

Tree Planting:
Richard A. Reyes planted the first tree to inaugurate the pinnacle of the program. Mahogany trees were earlier lined up over dug holes around the campus with bamboo pegs to support each tree. Mr. Reyes, rested the first tree for AG&P and also planted trees under the names of AG&P hierarchies, Agelito D. Bermudo, President, Marcial P. Morales Jr, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Aquilino G. De Vera, Vice-President for Operations followed by school officials, AG&P Officers, Barangay San Roque Captain, Teachers and the students instantaneously.

The ceremony ended as each participant tied their green ribbons around their child trees. Name tags were also placed atop each tree guard and everyone had their share of rationed water to sprinkle.

“Trees are not only planted for display but are cared for and grown to save lives and protect mother earth”, Vice President Marcial P. Morales, Jr.