COTABATO CITY, JCI TURNS EDSA’s YELLOW TO GREEN

February 25, 1986 exactly 25 years from today, the People Power revolution happened. The Filipino people gained freedom from dictatorship. For the Junior Chamber International (JCI), the People Power commemoration sparks a new revolution. Color this one green.

JCI, a worldwide non-political, non-sectarian youth service organization, today held a nationwide tree planting activity entitled “Green is the color of love: Plant a Tree, Save a Soul” that aims to create a positive change in society by promoting environmental awareness among the public.

Mobilizing over 3,000 members from 170 chapters throughout the country and from the public, the JCI tree planting event was held simultaneously in at least 20 sites in Baguio, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, GenSan, Iligan, Isabela, Laguna, Albay, Legaspi, Southern Leyte, River Side Marikina, Montalban, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Pampangga, Antipolo Rizal, Souther Visayas, and Zamboanga.

“In Cotabato City, environmental degradation at present is not just an issue. It is everybody’s concern. Advocating active citizenship is a privilege for all the JCI members. It is not just a campaign for reviving the ecosystem but also investing for a better “greener” future for the next generation,” said Norianne Frondoza, from JCI Cotabato; Area Vice-president, AREA V-Mindanao.

Over 3,000 seedlings such as Molave, Acacia and Ipil-ipil were planted nationwide, provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“This is a chance to give back what our environment has provided us. With every tree planted, we will be leaving behind clean and beautiful place for the next generation,” said Ana Lim Santiago, President, JCI Davaoeno Dabadaba.

Dimapatoy watershed...Save Water, Save Life. Plant a tree

Our country is very susceptible to environmental tragedies. We do not want to repeat history and see more people suffer from its effects. This simultaneous and nationwide tree planting activity is the first for JCI in the Philippines; and this is a way of showing our love and support for the environment,” said Benard Dy, national president of JCI Philippines.

“With this tree planting activity, people did not only get interested in took action by planting new trees,” said Ana Pista head for Public Relations, JCI Philippines. “Planting tree is love put into action,” she added.