Tree planting: Prerequisite for graduation in Boljoon

CEBU, Philippines - Every graduating student from public and private elementary and secondary schools in the municipality of Boljoon is required to plant trees as prerequisite for graduation.

Boljoon Mayor Deogenes Derama, who approved the ordinance passed last July 6, said that the measure will require every graduating student to plant five edible fruit-bearing trees.

Derama explained that the purpose of the ordinance is to establish a tie-up between the Department of Education and the local government unit in the area where tree-planting activities are to be carried out.

This will also intensify the goals of the approved ordinance for the integration and application of the DepEd curricula in Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan for the elementary level and the Technology and Livelihood Education for the secondary level.

Aside from complying with the DepEd curricula, the ordinance stressed that the program is in line with “sustainable program for food supply and family income generation” and “inculcation among the in-school youth the values of responsibility, resourcefulness, reliability and love of Mother Earth.”

Under the ordinance, the officers of the DepEd are mandated to conduct orientation seminar at the beginning of the schoolyear to all graduating students.

All planting materials will be provided and supplied by the municipality with technical support to be extended to the students to ensure that material inputs are properly planned and planted as well.

Graduating students who are residents of the DepEd-designated area are encouraged to plant trees in their backyard.

As for those who are not residents but who study in the said town, they are required to secure a certification of accomplishment from the office of the barangay captain where the planting activity is being performed.

The town council’s committee on education, environment and natural resources and agriculture and aquatic resources are authorized and deputized in the full implementation of the provision of the ordinance to supervise the activity. This also includes DepEd heads, private school heads, barangay captains, municipal agriculture officer and presidents of the Parents-Teachers Community Associations.

However, the ordinance approved by the town is still subject for review and final approval of the Provincial Board. The ordinance is now pending before the provincial council’s committee on education. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)