RAB, Inc. conducted a clean-up drive and tree planting as part of social environmental concerns and interactions with stakeholders.

BAGUIO CITY – Rehabilitation Action for Baguio, Incorporated was given a great opportunity with some partners who participated in the Clean-up drive and Tree planting activity held at Park Drive Garden, Ilusurio Drive on September 13, 2023.

It was attended by some staff of the Social Security System, Baguio City Police Office (BCPO-Mobile Force) led by PCPT. ANGELINE DONGPAEN and PCPL. FAUSTO JUNIOR MACLIING, Police Station 3, and (Mobile Patrol Unit), with the support of the Baguio Fire Department, Baguio Event Workers Association, Baguio Magnolia Lions Club D301-C, BAMACO Coop, M.Roxas Barangay Officials, led by Punong Barangay Elsie Magdalene P. Tindoc, Trancoville barangay Kagawad Marvin James Miguel, Napolcom Cordillera CAR Training Center, Northwestern Luzon League of Cooperatives and in coordination with the City Environment and Parks Management Office led by CEPMO officer Atty. Rhenan Diwas and in coordination with the City Government of Baguio with the permission of Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong the request of the RAB Volunteer to carry out the activity of cleaning and planting in the said Park Drive Garden.

Floro C. Bastian – Forester II, in charge of the Urban Regreening Program, CEPMO, gave instructions first before doing the tree planting.

According to Forester Floro, “Ang target natin ngayon maitanim sa City ay 10,000 seedlings, it is not quantity but quality ang kailangan natin, we have two nursery here na pwede tayo makapag request and we have producing about 20,000 seedlings yearly for replanting program of the city and we have planted already 8,000 seedlings so, now we are planted here 300 seedlings pine tree and ornamental, 150 Jacaranda and 150 Pine trees seedlings, kung magkulang man ito ay pwede tayo kumuha sa nursery, hindi lang tree planting ang gagawin natin kundi maintenance dito sa Park Drive Garden na may 1,000 square meter ang lawak nito, may mga naitanim na rito noon, pero dahil sa napabayaan at wala ng bumalik para ma maintain itong park, hindi na nag survive yun ibang seedlings,”

“Maraming salamat po sa inyo sa RAB Volunteer naisipan niyo tulungan at mapangalagaan ang ating kalikasan at mga park ganun rin sa mga nakipag participate na kasama niyo ang BCPO na laging katuwang natin sa lahat ng mga tree planting at paglilinis ay always ready sila na maging manpower natin at sa mga association at barangay officials na kasama nyo ngayon, agyaman kami unay kenyayo,” Floro concluded

RAB Chairperson Rosalie Maria Rachel C. Castañeto said “A total of 73 volunteers is a big help to ease this cleaning of our park. “One mandate of RAB is to help in the rehabilitation of  Baguio and to raise awareness to the society in the importance of planting and saving trees due to the unfavorable effects of climate change.  RAB activities of clean-up drives and planting trees provide an opportunity to bring together different organizations, civic groups, law enforcers, and LGUs to get involved and somehow join in our efforts to support our long-term conservation goals. Recent typhoons that hit our city left us with a lot of fallen branches and uprooted trees so there is a need to replace and plant new ones,”

“Nais namin ipaalam sa inyo ang magandang pagkakataon na ito kung gusto niyo pong makiisa sa amin hangarin sa pag adopt ng park na ito ay ikinagagalak namin makasama kayo, maglalagay tayo ng marker dito at maisusulat ang inyong associations, magsasagawa tayo mai-schedule kung kailan tayo pwede makapaglinis at magtulungan tayo na mapanatiling maayos, malinis at magandang attraction sa ating mga bisita,” Chair Ochie said

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong also expressed his gratitude after attending the simultaneous clean-up drive and tree planting at the Baguio Arboretum, Botanical Garden on September 13, 2023.

“Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa RAB volunteers, sa ating kapulisan sa BCPO, Lions Club at sa ibat ibang barangay officials and residents, miembro ng Peoples Council at sa mga kawani ng Baguio LGU  sa kanilang ginawang clean-up drive at tree planting sa iba’t ibang lugar ng siyudad ng Baguio nung September 13,2023.  Bahagi lamang ito sa ating adhikain na alagaan ang ating kalikasan upang meron tayong maipamamana sa bagong henerasyon”

“Ang inyong sama-samang pagkilos ay hindi lamang nagpapayaman sa ating kalikasan kundi nagpapatibay din sa ugnayan ng ating komunidad. Kasama tayo sa pag-aalaga ng mas masagana at mas malinis Baguio para sa mga susunod na henerasyon.”  Mayor Magalong said.

The same was the message of BCPO City Director PCOL FRANCIS BULWAYAN JR.

“BCPO under the leadership of PCOL Francis Bulwayan Jr ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa RAB Inc. sa pag imbita para sa activity.Nagpapakita ito na ang RAB Inc. ay may tiwala at pagkakaisa sa kapulisan. Ipagpatuloy po natin ang pagpapaganda sa parke para po sa mamamayan Ng Baguio at sa mga bisita/turista,”

Along with the Barangay officials of M. Roxas led by Punong Barangay Elsie Magdalene B. Tindoc, and the Kagawad are Mirasol V. Laguipo, Marciano S. Chulyao, Laila D. Soriano, Mary Jane B. Fabian, Mary Jane S. Cuevas, Edna C. Nebrida, Rolando B. Gayao, SK-Luica T. Dioso, Secretary-Sheila R. Ocampo, BNS-Marites B. Gallegos, BHW-Ma. Evelyn C. Zapanta

Representative of Baguio City High School Batch ’88 na sina Marcita Catbagan Atitiw, Armela Javier at Edz Peralta.

Among the RAB Volunteers who participated were Leah Moreno, Zeny Boadilla, Armela Javier, Ditas Enriquez, Vivian Lazaro, Mario Tapang, Ferly Rose Garcia, Margie A. Bautista, Julieta Fariñas, Pam Cariño, Jim Vandellon, Marvin James S. Miguel, Marcita C. Lim, and Mario D. Oclaman

Baguio Magnolia Lions Club – Loren Santiago, Cresencia Villanobos, Gloria Bay, Leah Moreno, Armela Javier at Ferly Rose Garcia.

BAMACO – Clarisse Roxanne Pambalan at Dominador R. Tabrilla Jr.

BEWA/NORWESLU – Melody Castro-Carullo. Thank you also to the sponsor who provides meals, the Zambalii Grill. ### Photos by: Mario D. Oclaman // Filipino News Sentinel