Local youth and a motley crew of local groups banded together in a show of force to help restore denuded mountains back to life, one bamboo seedling at a time.
Rotaract Club of Bayambang, headed by President Michael Louie B. Iglesias, successfully organized “A Thousand Seeds of Hope,” a bamboo tree-planting activity together with STAC children, in Daang Kalikasan, Mangatarem, Pangasinan on August 20, 2023, from 3 a.m. to 2 p.m., with assistance from CSFirst Green AIDI, the LGU’s Local Youth Development Office, and Rotary Club of Bayambang.
CSFirst Green AIDI, headed by Engr. Bernard A. Bawing, sponsored the transportation, venue, food packs for 500 participants, seedlings, and manpower, while the LGU’s Local Youth Development Office, headed by Mr. Johnson R. Abalos, gave additional food packs for 200 people, with Rotary Club of Bayambang, headed by Pres. Sammy Camorongan Lomboy, assisting.
According to Iglesias, there was a total of 421 participants, with 10 seedlings handed per head. In particular, there were 14 STAC children in attendance, plus 20 from Rotaract Club of Bayambang, 7 from Rotary Club of Bayambang, 7 from Binibining Bayambang, 16 from PSU Bayambang Supreme Student Council, 43 from KALIPI Bayambang, 15 from Pangasinan Vloggers Club, 6 from Mrs. Bayambang, 65 from Project Aral Foundation, 14 from CIASI, 5 from Royal Mall, 24 from Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc., 50 from Julius K. Quiambao Hospital, 20 from Eagles Club, 20 from CSFirst Bank Inc, 10 from LGBTQI+ Association of Bayambang, 20 from DENR, 50 from CSFirst Green, 20 from E-Agro, and 5 from JQS.
The community of Sitio Mapita served as beneficiaries as the bamboo reforestation project provides a source of livelihood for them, while the STAC children were given opportunities for community involvement, Iglesias reported.
Iglesias said that the tree-planting activity especially gave the participating youth an experience of adventure as they hiked through the trails and rode on a truck that navigated offroad paths in the middle of alternating rain, heat, and fogging. The tiredness they felt, he said, was offset by the sight of wonderful scenery, so everyone mostly had an unforgettable and enjoyable time.
