MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (PIA)—The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Manolo Fortich has forged new partnerships which will enable its valued allies to plant and grow one million trees as part of the government’s “Tayo Ang Kalikasan” movement led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
This was disclosed by Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño while speaking at the LGU conference hall, September 22, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its second set of government and non-government partners.
“I’ve noticed some changes in Manolo Fortich’s woodlands as a result of agricultural and industrial commercialization. My 10-Point Agenda prioritizes the preservation of natural resources and the environment. I know that this ‘Tayo Ang Kalikasan’ program can do amazing things for the environment,” the mayor said.
As a pledge of partnership, the Boys Scouts of the Philippines, Girls Scouts of the Philippines, Barkada Kontra Droga, Student Pupil Government, Supreme Student Government, the YES-O (Youth for Environment in Schools-Organization) of Damilag Integrated School, Manolo Fortich National High School, Kalugmanan Elementary School, Mantibugao Integrated School, and the Agricultural Crops Production (ACP) Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), among other schools in Manolo Fortich signed an MOU that clearly defines their commitment to cooperate in tree growing.
Similarly, several companies and groups such as CJ Philippines Inc, Mindanao Feedmill Plant, and the #LetEarthBreath Movement vowed to do their share in protecting the environment by growing more trees.
The majority of those who signed the recent MOU are from the Department of Education. They discussed how they prepare to carry out their activities in support of the movement.
Syra Canto-Razalo, YES-O adviser of Mantibugao Integrated School, said they will start by creating a team of officers and then tapping their barangay to develop the area that has been assigned to them.
School Principal Maria Salome Niere of Damilag Integrated School said that the movement prompted them to take an active part because it is aligned with the activities they already have at school.
“In our school, we let the students plant trees. One student, one tree. With this movement our activities in school will be monitored and strengthened,” Niere added.
“Tayo Ang Kalikasan” is a movement that aims to engage citizens as stewards in preserving and protecting the environment for sustainable development.
In July last year, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Alae National High School, Manolo Fortich Transport Cooperative, One Manolo Fortich Transport Cooperative, GSF Trucking Services, JJF Trucking Services, and Golden Hand Trucking Services planted trees in identified areas and committed to nurturing the said trees.
This is in line with the movement’s goal of planting one million forest trees. It began in 2019 and includes keeping track of the number of seedlings that are thriving and growing.
Meanwhile, Manolo Fortich MENRO Sharon G. Tacbobo thanked the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Manolo Fortich LGU, the academe, companies, government and non-government organizations for the support in “Tayo ang Kalikasan” movement that will inspire every institution, school, and community to work in preserving the forests and their ecosystems.
Forester Morito B. Estifano of CENRO and Hon. Rina E. Quiño, the chairperson of the Committee on Environment, also graced the MOU signing to highlight the entire community’s full support of the movement. (Manolo Fortich LGU/PIA-10/Bukidnon)
