A total of 800 hardwood, fruit-bearing, tress, and Rhizophora seedlings were planted in Sitio Suha, San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan and Brgy. Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan during the Environmental Volunteerism Movement: A Community Engagement Day (EnVMACED)
As part of the International Conference on Research Innovation and Community Engagement’s (IConRICE) voluntary field activities, Environmental Volunteerism Movement: A Community Engagement Day (EnVMACED), a simultaneous tree planting activities were conducted through the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) headed by Ms. Jennifer C. Ignacio and the College of Science in coordination with the Research Management Office at Sitio Suha, San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan and Sitio Pulu-Pulo, Brgy. Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan last December 16, 2022. It was participated in by selected BulSU Administrators, Faculty Members, Non-Academic Personnel, and students together with the Peoples’ Organization, Briquettor Association of the Philippines Inc. (BAPI) and residents of Brgy. Pamarawan.
A total of 500 hardwood and fruit-bearing trees composed of Narra, Firewood and Guyabano were planted in the upland area while 300 Rhizophora seedlings were planted in wetlands. Brgy. Pamarawan is one of the adopted areas of BulSU through the IEG. Numerous mangrove planting activities together with the Wetlands International Philippines were conducted since 2017.
On the other hand, the 10-hectare site in Norzagaray was awarded to BulSU by DENR is under the NGP or National Greening Program. It is a flagship program of the DENR launched by the then President, Hon. Benigno Aqui- no Jr on 13 May 2011. It has the objective to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of land from the period of 6 years from 2011-2016. On 12 November 2015, a signed Executive Order 193, s2015 expands its coverage from 2016-2028.
Subsequently, in 2019, the DENR forged a partnership with BulSU through its environmental advocate arm, IEG supervised by its former Head, Dr. Elizabeth A. Chua and organized people’s association, the Briquettors Association of the Philippines Inc. to support the program. All parties are expected to collaborate in the adoption of the National Greening Program reforestation areas established in Bulacan under the jurisdiction of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Guiguinto Bulacan (CENRO Guiguinto.)
Included in the provision of MOA is the enrichment of the existing vegetation of the 10-hectare area through planting activities composed of fruit-bearing and hardwood trees.
Likewise, there shall also be maintenance, monitoring, evaluation and ensured protection of the area for its sustainable growth.