RAFI holds tree nurturance, planting

CEBU, Philippines - Before the second run of Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and partners held a tree nurturance activity in the planting site in Jaclupan, Talisay City, last May 22. This is also in celebration of the International Day of Biological Diversity.

To increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues, the United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity.

The activity mobilized volunteers from the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and regional offices of the Philippine National Police, Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Education.

This year’s Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines central event, which was still held in Jaclupan, Talisay City, drew a massive crowd of more than 12,000 from various companies, schools, youth groups, business institutions, religious organizations, and government agencies and offices.

With the challenging terrain of the planting site, 70 percent of the seedlings were planted. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Talisay City Government will plant the remaining seedlings and conduct regular monitoring to ensure their growth. Various mountaineering groups will also help in conducting cleanups and nurturance activities in the planting site.

 The running and planting event was simultaneously held in the 51 towns and component cities of Cebu Province. This year, Davao del Sur, Davao City, and Compostela Valley also organized their own Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, making these areas the first local government units outside Cebu to replicate the event.

 Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines 2012 is organized in collaboration with the Cebu Provincial Government, Aboitiz Equity Venture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Talisay City local government unit and other LGUs in Cebu, and various government and private institutions.

Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, one of the components of GREENIN Philippines program, is a fun run and planting activity that provides a venue for every Filipino to contribute in rehabilitating and protecting our environment with the goal of bringing back the country’s forest cover.

GREENIN Philippines Program, which stands for Generation REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines Program, is one of the programs under RAFI’s Integrated Development focus area. It aims to replicate best practices in environmental protection, conservation, and rehabilitation to more places in the country for a greener Philippines. RAFI’s other focus areas are Micro-finance and Entrepreneurship, Culture and Heritage, Leadership and Citizenship, and Education.

For more information about the GREENIN Philippines, please contact 418-7234 loc. 515 and look for Myryl Mendoza, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph  (FREEMAN)