Manila Times/Davao City

Just over a week into the record-breaking Treevolution Mindanao Project on September 26, organisers have so far registered 195,000 people who will be joining the simultaneous tree-planting activity.

The event, which aims to plant 4.6mn trees in multiple areas across Mindanao, is not only aimed at breaking the more than 1.9mn tree record currently held by India, but also to spread the advocacy of environmental protection.

Ann Marie Oledan, Treevolution Mindanao event co-ordinator, said they continue to receive online registrations every day.

Treevolution Mindanao is spearheaded by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“There are more registrants and a lot of participants are coming in and we are happy that many Mindanawons are willing to join a campaign that will ultimately help in the efforts to save the environment,” said Oledan.

She said the project will not only be a ‘tree-growing’ event, but instead, instill environmental awareness among Mindanawons.

“We will be able to show to the world that we are doing something good for the environment and for ourselves,” she said.

“We will be able to show the world that we are working toward peace and environmental integrity.”

The Confederation of of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal League presidents of Mindanao (Confed-Mindanao) passed a resolution supporting the campaign.

The resolution, signed by Confeb-Mindanao chairperson and Surigao del Sur Gov. Johny Pimentel, said each municipality and city local government unit will be contributing five hectares as planting sites. The campaign’s target is to cover 9,200 hectares all over Mindanao.

Before the resolution was issued, Interior Sec. Mar Roxas on August 7 issued a memorandum addressed to all local government officials in Mindanao to “participate in this historic event”.

The Civil Service Commission has also asked all heads of government offices and government-owned and controlled Corps to “participate in the significant event”.

Students, teachers and employees of Mindanao-based public and private higher education institutions are also
expected.

 

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