Anchored on the University of the Philippines Visayas’ commitment to lead and advocate for a sustainable development in the community, the graduate students of the Master of the Management Public Management (MMPM) conducted a tree planting and gift-giving activity titled “Sustaining the Environment and the Youth: A Tree Growing and Back-to-School Activity” at Brgy. Igcabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo last 30 September 2023.
The activity aimed to empower graduate students to become leaders and advocates in sustaining and conserving the environment as well as highlighting the value of education. As part of the course requirement in Mgt243: Program Development and Management, under the guidance of Assistant Professor Ramil B. Atando, the UPV-MMPM graduate students successfully led the said activity in collaboration with Iloilo Provincial Government through the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) and the General Services Office (GSO) and the Municipality of Igbaras, Iloilo.
The activity was comprised of two (2) components: the tree-growing activity and the distribution of school and hygiene supplies to the selected learners of Igcabugao Integrated School as its identified beneficiaries.
A total of 100 seedlings composed of 50 Balayong and 50 Palawan Cherries were planted along the Igbaras-Passi-Igcabugao-Igbolo road. The aforementioned seedlings were made available through the coordination with the Iloilo-PGENRO and the Municipality of Igbaras. The trees will not only contribute to a healthy and safe environment but will also enhance the beauty of the area. This aligns with climate change mitigation efforts of the said barangay. Also, in its second aspect, a total of 56 grade school learners from Kinder to Grade 3 received school and dental supplies from the activity.
Further, the activity recognized the importance of community awareness and involvement through the discussions on Dengue, Leptospirosis, Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), and the Social Security System (SSS) Member’s Benefits with the Igcabugao parents and teachers. Lectures were conducted by the graduate students. The dengue and leptospirosis awareness were discussed by Dr. Joan Abigail B. Sorongon, Dr. Rowena Lee P. Catalan and Dr. Cherryl C. Tibajares. Meanwhile, the Violence Against Women and Children and Social Security System Member’s Benefits were lectured by Atty. Charl Stuyver P. Moleño and Miss Elizabeth A. Navarro, respectively.
A covenant of commitment between the UPV graduate students and Brgy. Igcabugao was also forged in the form of a hand painting titled “Manifestation of Support and Sustainability of the Tree Growing Activity.” The initiative reflected UPV’s commitment to community development, environmental sustainability and education, a demonstration of the power of collaboration between the academia and the local government in achieving common goals.
