Baguio: Media practitioners took time out of their usual schedule and shut down their computers to plant and nurture trees during an activity that aimed to expose them and their families to forest and environment protection on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the tree planting activity, dubbed "Eco-Walk," was conducted by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) in celebration of the organization's 62nd anniversary. This initiative not only commemorates Arbor Month but also serves as a tribute to the lives lost during the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Baguio and northern Luzon on July 16, 1990. The earthquake led to the death of approximately 1,600 people.
Dionisio Dennis, president of the BCBC, emphasized that the goal is to continue what was started by elder media practitioners 33 years ago and to involve family members in environmental conservation. The Eco-Walk was conceptualized in 1992 by media veterans to honor those who perished during the earthquake by planting trees in memory of lost loved ones, ensuring a living reminder of their existence.
During the weekend activity, BCBC members engaged in nurturing previously planted seedlings and planting new ones. The Busol watershed in Barangay Ambiong served as the venue for this year's Eco-Walk, coordinated with the Baguio Water District (BWD). BWD manages the largest watershed in the city, which supplies potable water to over half of Baguio's 128 villages.
Dennis highlighted the indigenous practice of "muyong," adopted from the Ifugao people, which focuses on forest protection to support water needs. In addition to planting activities, participants also enjoyed environment-themed games.
Aileen Refuerzo, the city's chief information officer, noted that the city government has adopted Eco-Walk as a sustainable forest protection endeavor. This initiative contributed to Baguio winning a "Galing Pook Award" from the Department of the Interior and Local Government in 1996 and international recognition in 2002 from the United Nations Environmental Programme's Global 500 Award. The program involves hiking, tree planting, and educational activities aimed at fostering environmental love among children.
Eco-Walk is recognized as the longest-running indigenous culture-based children's environmental awareness program in Benguet. It was conceived by local media members, including the late city public information officer Ramon Dacawi, Nicolas Ilagan, Nathan Alcantara, Eliral Refuerzo, and Art Tibaldo. The program aims to instill a love for the environment in children and protect the Busol watershed from denudation and intrusion.
