Negros island: Private sector groups that partnered in the massive regreening program of Negros Island committed on Friday to continue planting more trees even after the movement ended ahead of schedule. The commitment was made during a press conference to celebrate the supposed 10th anniversary of the '10 Million in 10 Years for a Greener Negros' (10 M in 10), a regreening program that planted 10 million native trees in just six years.
According to Philippines News Agency, Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), stated that 268 partners across Negros Island achieved their goals in 2021 through various approaches. These included planting in lowlands and uplands, coastal and riverside communities, agro-forestry, and integrated school greening programs. Additionally, the adopt-a-plantation approach allowed private companies, groups, and individuals to participate.
Du highlighted the contribution of First Gen-Energy Development Corporation's BINHI program to the initiative's success. BINHI is an extensive environmental program implemented in Negros Island and other project sites, focusing on forest restoration, watershed protection, advocacy, mainstreaming of Philippine native trees, and biodiversity conservation. A third-party expert has validated that the trees planted have a 79 to 85 percent survival rate, resulting in a total of 307,552 metric tons of carbon dioxide avoided through the program.
Danford Sy of New Bian Yek Commercial, Inc., a member of NOCCI and a partner of 10 M in 10, emphasized the biggest challenge is sustainability and ensuring the trees' survival. "It only takes one disaster for us to be able to realize that we need to plant more trees," he said. Sy urged other business establishments in Negros Oriental to engage in tree planting as a means of giving back to the province and the environment.
With 10 million trees already planted, Du conveyed that they now face a "bigger responsibility" to nurture these trees for survival in the coming years.
