schoolscolleges2020 hed news

By Caryl Be B Trabadillo and Maria Monica L Borja

Xavier University’s National Service Training Program (NSTP), along with other schools in Cagayan de Oro City and in Region 10, held a tree-planting activity at XU’s Independence Farm in Barangay Canitoan on September 26. The seedlings were provided by XU’s Manresa Farm.

The activity was in line with Section 3.1.1 under Executive Order No. 26 which states that, “All students, identified by the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education and all government employees shall be individually required a minimum of ten (10) seedlings in areas determined by the Convergence Initiative. Private sectors and civil society groups shall likewise be encouraged to participate in the NGP.”

The National Greening Program is a massive forest rehabilitation program of the government.

Through the tree-planting activity, the NSTP Educators Association in Region 10 aimed to nurture the role of the youth in nation-building and to contribute to the preservation and protection of the environment.

“The activity served its purpose in attaining our objective, primarily on the preservation and the contribution of the students to the environment,” said Esmael Salarda, XU-NSTP class moderator.

“It was a bit tiring, to be honest, especially when we had to stay under the sun and rain for hours,” shared 2nd year Industrial Engineering student Allyssa Cinchez.

“However, I consider it a fun and fruitful experience because I wasn’t only able to help myself but also played a role in helping preserve the environment for the next generation,” she added. “It’s always nice to give back what we take from nature.”

The annual activity was made possible with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10, Road and Traffic Administration, Cagayan De Oro City Police Office and the members of the barangay council in the area.