Growing the Seeds of Sustainability: Mapúa MCL Tree Planting
Activity in Brgy. Cansuso, Cavinti, Laguna
By: Ivana Ruth Vidal
In a world grappling with the consequences of climate change, environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity, the importance of sustainable initiatives cannot be overstated. Recognizing the urgent need to address these global challenges, a tree planting activity was organized in Barangay Cansuso, Cavinti, Laguna on October 25 and November 4, 2023.
Led by the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), this event brought together a total of 131 volunteers, comprising of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL)’s alumni, employees, and students from the Bachelor of Multimedia Arts and Tourism Management programs. This initiative focused on enhancing local biodiversity and combating deforestation, thereby contributing to the wider objective of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 – Life on Land.
Tree planting emerges as a vital strategy in furthering Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15, which prioritizes the safeguarding, restoration, and sustainable utilization of terrestrial ecosystems. In November 2022, OSPGE also led One Tree at a Time in partnership with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office in Sta. Cruz (CENRO Sta. Cruz) and with the assistance of the Siniloan Tenured Migrants Association, wherein 500 seedlings were planted in one of the protected areas in Siniloan, Laguna.
This year’s tree-growing, as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources calls it, was a collaborative effort involving the Mapúa MCL community, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Laguna (PENRO Laguna), and volunteers from Brgy. Cansuso’s community.
A total of 2, 000 fruit-bearing tree seedlings were planted in an area designated under the DENR’s National Greening Program (NGP), fostering environmental resilience, and promoting sustainable land management practices.
NGP is a flagship program of DENR that aims to rehabilitate 1.5 million hectares of denuded forests and non-forest lands nationwide from 2011 to 2028. This program seeks to address the country’s alarming deforestation rate, promote sustainable forest management, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
On the day of the event, the volunteers came together to plant the seeds of sustainability. The sense of unity and shared purpose was palpable as everyone worked towards a common goal – reviving the land and promoting a healthier environment for current and future generations.
This endeavor is not just a one-time event; it marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to environmental sustainability. Regular monitoring and maintenance programs were put in place to ensure the survival and growth of the newly planted trees.
Erika Roxas, one of the student volunteers, shared, “Participating in the recent tree-planting activity with my fellow Mapúa MCL students was truly a heartwarming experience. The joy of contributing to the environment while bonding with peers created a sense of fulfillment. To all future participants, I would like to share that volunteering is more than just doing the right thing; it’s about doing the right thing you love. I’ll treasure this memory and I am looking forward to more impactful activities I can volunteer in.”
Through collaborative efforts, education, and sustained commitment, communities, alongside academic institutions, and organizational partnerships, can play a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet. The seeds planted in Cavinti are not just trees; they are symbols of hope, unity, and a shared dedication to preserving life on land for generations to come.