EARLIER this week, the Department of Education (DepEd) organized a special initiative known as "236k Trees" to provide a significant Christmas gift to children.
This nationwide project, organized through the office of the DepEd Secretary, required all 47,678 public schools in the country to participate in a simultaneous tree-planting activity last December 6, 2023, at 8:00 am.
One school that eagerly embraced this project is Lapok Elementary School.
Committed to their role, the school community came together to conduct the planting of 180 endemic trees in a vacant section of the school grounds.
The activity saw the participation of Barangay Council members, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) officers, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, tribal leaders, and the dedicated faculty and staff.
Leading the collaborative effort was Lapok Elementary School head, Jhonmark C. Oligario.
Under his guidance, the event was graced by honorable Kapitan Welbert Enecoto, Tribal Chieftain Datu Ananayon, Bae Tawan Tawan, Education Committee Chair Sherwin Sabella, PTA President Crispy Sumuroy, and YES-O Coordinator Elsa Villegas.
Their collective efforts demonstrated the unity and dedication of the entire school community.
Oligario said Lapok Elementary School's tree planting activity was particularly special as it focused on endemic trees.
"By choosing native species, the school aimed to promote biodiversity while also highlighting the importance of preserving the natural environment," said Oligario.
He said this conscious decision aligns with DepEd's larger vision of instilling environmental awareness and responsibility in the younger generation.
Through this project, Oligario stressed that DepEd not only aims to provide a Christmas gift to children but also to nurture a sense of ecological responsibility.
By engaging the entire school community and encouraging collaboration with various stakeholders, DepEd hopes to sow the seeds of environmental stewardship and inspire a love for nature among the youth, Oligario explained.
"The 236k Trees initiative is a testament to the power of collective action," said Oligario.
By planting trees simultaneously across the country, DepEd demonstrates its commitment to fostering a greener future and ensuring that the children of today and tomorrow can thrive in a healthier and more sustainable environment.
