Pupils of the Kauswagan Central Elementary School plant mangroves at the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, in line with the DepEd’s nationwide tree planting project. MindaNews photo by MARIVIC OMANDAM DAVIS
LINAMON, Lanao del Norte (MindaNews / 7 December) – Around 400 public elementary and high schools in Lanao del Norte joined the nationwide simultaneous tree planting activity of the Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday, December 6.
It was led by the DepEd – Lanao del Norte Division in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, among others.
The project serves as a gift from the DepEd “to ensure a green and clean environment for Filipino children and the future generations,” according to Dep-Ed Lanao del Norte Division.
At least 2,000 native trees, mangroves, and fruit trees were planted by the DepEd personnel and public elementary and high school students across the province.
The pupils and school personnel of the Kauswagan Central Elementary School (KCES) planted mangroves at the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center.
Daylen Dela Pieza, a 25-year-old student of the Alternative Learning System program at KCES, emphasized the significance of mangroves in protecting communities against coastal hazards like tsunamis.
“Importante ning bakhaw kay siya tig-sangga sa mga kalamidad. Makatabang man gud ang bakhaw pag naay tsunami, sya musagang ug muprotect sa mga tao na di masalanta (Mangroves are important because they serve as barriers against calamities. Mangroves are helpful during tsunamis as they shield and protect people from being severely hit),” she said.
At the Jose Balazo Memorial Elementary School in Kauswagan town, pupils and teachers planted 20 mahogany trees at the school and planned to plant 10 more at the barangay plaza.
The school head, Marfe Rondez, said they will ensure the trees’ survival by regularly watering them and using tree guards for maintenance.
Dimple Cabasis, Dep-Ed Lanao del Norte Division Disaster Risk Reduction and Management coordinator, expressed hope that the trees would flourish and benefit the province, particularly the schools.
The tree planting activity is in accordance with DepEd Memorandum No. 69 or the “DepEd’s 236,000 Trees – A Christmas Gift for the Children,” which was signed by Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte.
At least than 47,000 public elementary and high schools in the different parts of the country participated in the planting of 236,000 trees. (Marivic Omandam Davis / MindaNews)
