The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday reported a total of 1.9 million tree seedlings were planted by the agency under the “Project Pagbabago: A Million Trees” program in partnership with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The nationwide simultaneous tree-planting activity is connected with the “DepEd’s 236,000 Trees: A Christmas gift for children” to ensure a clean and green environment.

The Cordillera Administrative Region was the top contributor after planting more than 1.1 million trees.

“Layunin ng tree-planting activity na isulong ang environmental preservation at responsibility sa mga batang Pilipino kung saan nilahukan ito ng 47,678 na pampublikong paaralan sa buong bansa (The tree planting activity, which aims to promote environmental preservation and responsibility among Filipino children, was participated by 47,678 public schools across the country),” the DepEd reported.

Before the activity, the agency signed a memorandum of agreement with the OVP and DENR for the implementation of Project Pagbabago: A Million Trees program.

Under the agreement, DepEd agreed to collaborate with the two agencies in encouraging the participation of schools and communities in greening initiatives of the OVP to inculcate to its learners and employees the importance of environment preservation, and conservation and achieve the goals of the National Greening Program of the government.

The initiative is also in accordance with the DepEd Memorandum No. 69, series of 2023 issued by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte to ensure a clean and green environment for Filipino children and future generations.

It was also part of the DepEd’s 12 Days of Christmas themed “Makulay ang Pasko ng Pamilyang Pilipino.”

Regular activity

Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles urged the DepEd to consider making its tree-planting program a regular activity nationwide.

“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,” Nograles said in a statement.

He said the success of the “236,000 Christmas Trees” program would inspire other government institutions to restore the country’s greenery. (PNA)