By Gideon C. Corgue
LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – To
help mitigate the impact of climate change, the 1st Field Artillery
Battalion, Army Artillery Regiment in collaboration with RMN-DXPR recently
conducted a tree planting activity at Tabak Elementary School, Upper Pulacan,
this municipality.
The teaching staff and Grade 6
pupils also joined the activity and planted some 200 seedlings of mahogany along
the perimeter of the school.
1FAB
Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Hubert S. Acierto said the troopers actively support
the National Greening Program of the government and engage key stakeholders in
promoting peace and development,” Acierto said.
He
declared that the 1FAB troopers are not only “expert cannoneers” but also
experts in doing civil-military operations such as medical and dental civic
action program, tree planting and other community-related endeavors.
Ms. Vivencia S. Roda, the
school-in-charge said tree planting is very important because it reduces global
warming.
She
added that planting trees is a must because it helps save our planet. “The trees
not only remove harmful chemicals from the atmosphere, but also help reduce
greenhouse gases,” she said quoting an environmentalist.
She encouraged the pupils
to join the activity for the reason that an
average size tree provides sufficient oxygen for a family of four in one year. “It is evident that the trees are the
natural habitat of animals and birds, as well as many endangered species,” she
added.
Hadja Mariam Matarul, Parents-Teachers
Association (PTA) president was grateful that the tree planting activity was
held in the school.
“This is my first time to
join tree planting. It is a fulfilling experience that as a mother you can help
save the environment by planting trees,” Matarul, whose four children are
studying in the school stated.
Kenjay Parra, a grade 6
pupil was happy to join the 1FAB troopers, DXPR personnel and all his
classmates in the activity.
“Sumali
po ako sa pagtatanim ng mga kahoy dahil gusto kong makatulong sa ating
pamahalaan pagsulong ng kanilang programa sa pagtatanim ng mga kahoy at upang
mapaglabanan ang malubhang suliranin sa climate change,” Parra
said.
(I
joined the tree planting because I want to help the government in pursuing
their greening program and to fight the severe problem on climate change.)