RIZAL 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles hailed a recent program by the Department of Education that resulted in the planting of nearly two million trees across the country.
“The success of the ‘236,000 Christmas Trees’ program points the way to how we can involve our institutions in efforts to restore our country’s greenery. That it has exceeded its target exponentially shows that there are many Filipinos who are eager to do their part to help,” Nograles said.
According to DepEd, more than 1.9 million trees have been planted across all regions, surpassing the initial target of 236,000.
Students and teachers in the Cordillera Administrative Region planted 1.1 million trees.
A memorandum dated Nov. 17 last year ordered that all 47,678 DepEd public schools would each plant at least five trees within school grounds or any available public spaces near schools.
With the program’s resounding success, Nograles urged the department to consider making the tree-planting program a regular activity.
“We can consider such activities as learning opportunities for our youth, as we emphasize the role that fulfilling their civic duty can play in helping save the country from the effects of the climate crisis,” the lawmaker said.
Nograles is a staunch advocate of the country’s National Greening Program.
He regularly leads reforestation activities particularly in flood-prone areas in Rizal.
About the Author
