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.