According to a popular Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Inspired by the old adage and in line with the tree planting campaign initiated by the Church, the Alturas Group of Companies, through its Alay Marcela Foundation spearheaded by its volunteer group, Alta Citta, is conducting a massive tree planting activity aimed to grow one million trees in the different parts of Bohol.
AGC employees & volunteers
Sounds like a formidable and ambitious project but the Alturas Group of Companies has already taken the first big steps towards realizing the goal. A couple of months back, the Alturas “Plant A Million Trees” movement was launched at Marcela Homes, in Brgy. Tabalong, Dauis, with the ceremonial tree planting led by the big boss of Alturas, Mr. Marlito C. Uy, assisted by Most Rev. Bishop Alberto S. Uy, who is among the convenors of Bohol Cares for Creation tree planting and growing activities in the province.
Bishop Abet Uy & AGC top honcho Mar Uy
After the Holy Mass at the Sagrada Familia Chapel in the said subdivision, Bishop Uy shared that the worthwhile activity is “for God’s glory and for the good of humanity” since it is for the environment and for mankind. He hopes that other multinational companies, which are capable of tapping its vast resources just to help save Mother Earth, will follow suit. The high point of the mass was the blessing of 500 seedlings which were planted immediately by Alturas employees and staff, the residents of Marcela Homes and Alturas Habitat Village, and other volunteers.
A sea of hope among the volunteers & residents
Mrs. Lailah Biliran, the Research & Development Manager of Alturas, said that the million tree planting project is not only to take part in the care of the environment but also for food security. Mrs. Biliran added that to meet the goal of planting a million trees, Alturas had already identified all those possible areas for the year-round tree planting; and the DENR PENRO, through its head Mr. Eusalem Quiwag, is very committed with 100% assurance to produce and provide the needed thousands of seedlings. Every Saturday at the ICM Activity Center, one can exchange any seedling, except Gemelina, Mahogany and Papaya, for P10.
For the month of September alone, Alturas has already planted almost 500 tree seedlings in Brgy. Lourdes, Cortes aside from the Tabalong, Dauis launch along with thousands more of tree seedlings taking root already in San Pascual, Ubay; Untaga, Alicia; and San Isidro, Calape.
Aside from leading the way, Alturas is now actively encouraging everyone -- from its thousands of employees, business partners and to its loyal customers -- to help plant a million trees in Bohol within the next five years or more. After all, the success of this province- wide community endeavor will depend also on everyone’s collective support and involvement.
