Massive Treevolution in Mindanao Successful

The massive tree planting activities was launched simultaneously in six Mindanao regions involving 4,056 hectares plantation sites, with more than 90,000 planters, and a total of 2,108,508 seedlings in a single hour between 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

The activity which was covered live by 32 Philippine Broadcasting Service Radyo ng Bayan government stations all over the country was aimed to gain the Guinness World record which is presently being held by Indonesia.

Spearheaded by Secretary Luwalhati Antonino of the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA), said the project called “Treevolution” was participated by mostly barangay volunteers, government employees and officials, Boy Scouts, and Philippine Army soldiers.

The Treevolution project covers the areas of Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte,Butuan, Tawi-tawi, Cotabato , Compostela Valley ,and all other parts of Mindanao.

Planted were the different kinds of seedlings such as narra, jackfruit, mango, rubber tree, and mangroves which were mainly provided and distributed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Mindanao regions.

Narra, rubber tress and other upland trees were planted in upland areas, while the coastal areas were solely planted by mangrove seedlings.

Based on the agreement, all newly planted seedlings will be taken care of the barangay farmers until five years from the date these were planted, or until each tree will live and could stand alone.

The government will be providing daily allowances to all caretakers who are mostly selected by the barangay officials.

The Treevolution activity has the biggest number of participants and the largest covered areas so far in the history of tree planting in the Philippines.

At 9:30 AM, following the completion of the said activity, Antonio said the Philippines has captured the new Guinness of World Record within just an hour period.

In 2011, Indonesia has planted more than 1.9 million seedlings just in a couple of hours, with more than 5,000 recorded planters.

Treevolution activities were also inspired by the participation of local government units (LGUs) in all 6 regions in Mindanao.

Antonio said being the overall chairman of the project, “I’m sure that in unity there is power and strength and above all, the success is upon us”, she said.

All the participants of the Treevolution project were blessed by a good weather condition in all 6 regions in Mindanao.

Few hours later after the tree planting activities, heavy downpours have immediately started and observed here in Metro Cebu areas resulting to deluge all low lying areas in Cebu City and likewise in Metro Manila.

Observers said, Treevolution is really a successful project by Filipinos who are in unity.

Image Credit: www.metrokelan.com